Shandong Taishan Reach Seventh Consecutive Chinese FA Cup Final

Shandong Taishan Reach Seventh Consecutive Chinese FA Cup Final

Shandong Taishan secured their place in the Chinese Football Association (CFA) Cup final for the seventh consecutive time after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chengdu Rongcheng on Tuesday in Jinan, Shandong Province.

The match remained tightly contested, with both teams displaying strong defensive performances throughout. The game’s decisive moments unfolded in the closing minutes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

In the 87th minute, Chengdu’s Hu Hetao delivered a precise pass to Manuel Palacios, whose close-range shot was expertly saved by Shandong goalkeeper Wang Dalei, keeping the score level and hopes alive for both sides.

Just three minutes later, Valeri Qazaishvili sent a cross into the crowded penalty area. The ball slipped through untouched and found Shandong’s Zheng Zheng, unmarked near the goal. Zheng seized the opportunity and calmly scored, marking his first goal since October 18, 2021, and propelling his team into the final.

This victory marks Shandong’s third consecutive win over Chengdu Rongcheng this season, all achieved without conceding a goal. Shandong Taishan have a storied history in the Chinese FA Cup, having won the title eight times—the most of any club. They enjoyed a three-year championship streak from 2019 to 2022 but fell short in last season’s final against Shanghai Shenhua.

Looking ahead, Shandong Taishan will face the winner of the semifinal clash between Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port. The two Shanghai teams are set to compete on Wednesday night at Shanghai Port’s home stadium in what promises to be an intense encounter.

Shanghai Port currently lead the Chinese Super League with 69 points after 26 games, closely followed by second-placed Shanghai Shenhua. Despite Port’s strong league performance, Shenhua have held the upper hand in recent encounters, remaining unbeaten with two wins and a draw in their last three meetings. Additionally, Shenhua have demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming deficits to win each of their past three matches.

The upcoming final promises to be a thrilling contest as Shandong Taishan aim to extend their dominance in the Chinese FA Cup and reclaim the title. Football enthusiasts around the globe will be watching closely to see if Shandong can secure their ninth cup victory or if a new champion will emerge.

Reference(s):

Shandong look to extend Chinese FA Cup dominance after reaching final

cgtn.com