Tang Long's opening long-distance shot from the center circle, strictly speaking, doesn't count as a shot at all.
Recalling the last Manchester Derby, Icardi also tried such a shot right at the start, and that was genuinely aimed at the goal.
However, to score from such a shot is simply unrealistic; its purpose is merely to intimidate the opponent.
Tang Long knew all too well that De Gea's goalkeeping skills are top-notch; across the entire world of football, no player can strike the ball into the goal guarded by De Gea right from the kickoff at the center circle.
To put it bluntly, any Premier League goalkeeper standing before the goal, no matter how skilled he is, would absolutely be unable to let such a long-distance shot go in.
So, Tang Long's shot was clearly intended to precisely kick the ball near Manchester United's corner flag, creating a sideline throw-in.
