Ghanaian midfielder Prince Ampem produced another outstanding performance, scoring one goal and providing an assist as Shanghai Port defeated Newcastle Jets 4-2 in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday.
The in-form midfielder was the driving force behind the Chinese champions’ impressive away victory at McDonald Jones Stadium, making decisive contributions at both ends of the attacking third.
Ampem set the tone for the visitors in the 23rd minute when he delivered a perfectly weighted pass for Brazilian striker Leonardo, who headed home from close range to open the scoring.
Shanghai Port doubled their advantage just three minutes later after Newcastle Jets defender Thomas Aquilina inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net under pressure.
The Ghanaian then crowned another excellent display with a goal of his own shortly after the restart, calmly firing into the bottom corner in the 51st minute to give Shanghai Port a commanding 3-0 lead.
Newcastle Jets responded through Patrick Wood and Xavier Bertoncello, who found the net in the 58th and 80th minutes respectively to briefly raise hopes of a comeback.
However, Shanghai Port restored their three-goal cushion four minutes from time when Li Xinxiang converted Yang Xi’s cross to wrap up an entertaining 4-2 victory.
Ampem was withdrawn in the 76th minute after another influential outing, having once again demonstrated his attacking quality and eye for goal.
The 28-year-old is enjoying a sensational AFC Champions League Elite campaign, with six goals and one assist in just four appearances. Remarkably, he has scored in every match he has played in the competition and currently leads the race for the Golden Boot.
Ampem’s exceptional form continues to establish him as one of the standout performers in this season’s tournament and one of Ghana’s most productive players abroad.
