Shandong Taishan's AFC Championship thriller against Kawasaki Frontale, media buzz behind the victory
In the second round of the AFC Champions League round of sixteen on February 20, Shandong Taishan defeated Kawasaki Frontale by a score of 4-2, and succeeded in advancing to the championship with a 6-5 aggregate score. The victory was not only inspiring, but also triggered heated debates in the domestic media.
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 cold winter! I have always believed that Shandong Taishan is going to be a 100-year club with a vision not only for the domestic league, but more importantly, to represent China proudly on the Asian stage. Today you have done it, looking forward to the next game to build on!"
Media personality Li Xuan commented, "A lot of people had no expectations for this game before the match, especially when Kawasaki took the Super Cup with a substitute lineup. The game had its ups and downs, but the Taishan players persevered until the end. The new foreigners haven't found their rhythm yet, but Kressan and Jadson did a great job, and the domestic players showed the hardness they deserve. It was an up and down and exciting game, Chinese soccer hasn't had such an exciting game in a long time!"
According to journalist Ma Dexing, "Shandong Taishan's victory has injected a shot in the arm for Chinese soccer into the Year of the Dragon, boosting the morale of the entire Chinese soccer team. Chinese soccer's poor performance in the Asian Cup has plunged Chinese soccer into the doldrums once again, and this victory has undoubtedly given Chinese soccer a shot in the arm."
Reporter Zhao Yu teased, "Some fans said they expect Shandong Taishan to meet Riyadh Victory in the AFC Champions League so they can watch Crowe on the spot. I know this is a joke. Looking at the AFC Champions League system, East and West Asian teams have to wait until the final. Of course, it's not completely impossible in theory."
Media person Ji Yuyang commented: "Shandong Taishan four goals, Kressan's shot outside the penalty area is the outstanding individual ability, Jadson's final hook shot belongs to the stroke of genius. The second goal looks a bit familiar? Did an opponent's corner turn into a goal of our own?A goal scored by Belgium against Japan at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was a Belgian counterattack after a Japanese corner kick. Tarzan's possession away from home was as low as 23% at one point and only 34% for the final crowd. However, this low possession rate was probably an active choice for Taishan, and sometimes strong teams choose to accept some chances."
Reporter Chen Hua said, "Shandong Taishan's performance is really invigorating. But this is the AFC Champions League after all, it's the club, it's the foreigners. With foreign aid, the Chinese team can still fight a battle in East Asia. Without foreign aid, look at the performance of the national football team in the Asian Cup, you know the level and position. 2024-2025 season, the AFC Champions League completely liberalized the number of foreign aid restrictions. To be honest, as long as you have the money to engage 11 good foreign aid, it's not impossible for Chinese Super League clubs to copy Evergrande to win the championship. The problem is that Chinese soccer has no money now, and local players don't pick up."
Commentator Huang Jianxiang congratulated Shandong Taishan: "Congratulations to Shandong Taishan! The AFC Champions League knockout round was 6-5 on aggregate, with a 4-2 comeback on the road to annihilate Japan's Kawasaki Frontale and advance to the next round! It was an exciting game! The significance of this victory is to show us that our players are not as bad as the national team in the Asian Cup! Today, Chinese soccer has no right to be presumptuous, but there is no need to be presumptuous either."
Zhao Zhen, a member of the media, said: "Taishan's reversal does lift the spirits! It shows that the coach and the team are mutually accomplished, and Shandong is indeed the right team for Old Cui."
Reporter Zhang Qiang exclaimed, "Read to kill! A victory for a team with substance and strength! This is not a victory for Chinese soccer, not even for the Chinese Super League. Maybe Chinese soccer also needs killing, but will such killing make those who shoulder the heavy responsibility of Chinese soccer more courageous and responsible?"
