Digging deeper, we've come up with the key ingredients for Shandong Taishan to advance to the knockout stage. First and foremost, they need to beat their opponents in the second leg of the 90-minute thriller and keep the momentum going in the ensuing extra time. On the other hand, their opponents only need a point in the second leg to secure their place in the last eight.
Especially with their backs against the wall, Shandong Taishan were instead able to enter the game with a more relaxed mindset. In the context of Chinese soccer's lack of a tie-breaker rule, this situation may bring unexpected results. Shandong Taishan, as the only team in the Chinese Super League, is shouldering the expectations of countless fans. If they can achieve a comeback in the second round, it will undoubtedly greatly encourage the fighting spirit of Chinese soccer.
For Chinese soccer, in addition to the national team's performance, the performance of the Chinese Super League teams in the AFC Champions League is also in the spotlight. Especially in recent years, the performance of Chinese Super League teams in the AFC Champions League has been unsatisfactory, even affecting the qualification of the Chinese Super League. If Shandong Taishan can make it to the last eight this season, it will undoubtedly inject a shot in the arm for Chinese soccer and start the road to revitalization.
