Shandong Taishan AFC Champions League Advancement Commentary Summary
On February 20, Shandong Taishan beat Kawasaki Frontale 4-2 in the second round of the AFC Champions League round of sixteen, advancing to a thrilling 6-5 aggregate score. After the match, domestic media have expressed their views.
Former international player and commentator Li Yi said, "I would like to thank Shandong Taishan for bringing a touch of warmth to Chinese soccer in the bitterly cold winter! I've always believed that Shandong Taishan wants to build a 100-year club whose vision is not only limited to the domestic league, but also to represent China's glory in the international arena. Today, you have done that, and I look forward to another great performance in the next match! Go for it, guys!"
According to media personality Li Xuan, "Before the match, many people were not expecting this game, especially after Kawasaki won the Super Cup using a substitute lineup. There were ups and downs and twists and turns during the match, but the Taishan players persevered until the end. It must be admitted that the new foreigners have yet to find their best form, but Kressan and Jadson were outstanding, and the domestic players showed their due resilience. It was an exciting game with many ups and downs, I was screaming at the top of my lungs and I couldn't help but shed a tear. How long has it been since Chinese soccer has experienced such an exciting game?"
Reporter Ma Dexing said, "Shandong Taishan's victory undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for Chinese soccer at the beginning of the Year of the Dragon, boosting the morale of the entire Chinese soccer. Given the dismal performance of Chinese soccer in the Asian Cup, this victory has allowed Chinese soccer to rediscover its self-confidence and get out of the doldrums!"
Reporter Zhao Yu teased, "Some fans expect Shandong Taishan to meet Riyadh Victory in the AFC Champions League in order to witness Crowe live. I know it's just a joke. According to the rules of the AFC Champions League, East and West Asian teams have to wait for the final to face each other. Of course, it's not all theoretically impossible. It would be great if they do meet. What we see will be a real Riyadh victory and Cairo. The AFC Champions League final is very different from a commercial match."
Media personality Ji Yuyang analyzed: "Shandong Taishan scored four goals, Kressan's shots inside and outside the penalty area showed his individual strength, and Jadason's last strike was a stroke of genius. I would like to mention the second goal in particular. Does it look a bit familiar to you? Did an opponent's corner turn into a goal for us?Belgium also scored against Japan in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia from a corner counter-attack. Although Taishan's possession was once as low as 23% on the road, with only 34% of the crowd, this low possession may have been a proactive choice for Taishan, and sometimes strong teams choose to take some chances."
According to reporter Chen Hua, "Shandong Taishan's performance today is really encouraging. But after all, this is the Asian Championship, it's the club, it's the foreigners. With foreign aid, the Chinese team can also make a difference in East Asia. Without foreign aid, the performance of the Asian Cup national football team is enough to prove the level and position. Especially in the 2024-2025 season, the restriction on the number of foreign aiders in the Asian Championship will be completely liberalized. To be honest, as long as there is enough money, it is not impossible for Chinese Super League clubs to replicate Evergrande's road to the championship. The problem is that Chinese soccer now lacks funds and local players are unwilling to accept the challenge. First of all, we lack a foreign aid that we can rely on."
Commentator Huang Jianxiang congratulated Shandong Taishan: "Congratulations to Shandong Taishan! The AFC Champions League knockout match was 6-5 on aggregate, with a 4-2 comeback win over Japan's Kawasaki Strikers on the road to advance to the next round! It was an exciting game! This victory tells us that our players are no worse than the national teams in the Asian Cup! Today, Chinese soccer is neither entitled to be proud nor should it be presumptuous."
Media personality Zhao Zhen said, "Taishan's reversal is really exciting! It proves the mutual achievement between the coach and the team, and Shandong really suits Old Cui's tactical style."
Reporter Zhang Qiang exclaimed, "This is a victory of reading the seconds to kill the enemy! A victory of a deep and strong team! This is not a victory for Chinese soccer, nor is it a victory for the Chinese Super League. Perhaps Chinese soccer is in need of such a kill, but will this make those who shoulder the burden of Chinese soccer more courageous and responsible?"
