With the drums of the Asian Games Women's Football Tournament beating, and one of the Asian soccer juggernauts of the AFC Champions League in synchronization, the Chinese women's football team's duel with the Japanese women's football team, as well as Shandong Taishan's encounter with the Yokohama Mariners, as if the two rapids met in synchronized battle. Shandong Taishan will face Yokohama Marinos in the second round of the AFC Champions League group stage, and if they can add another win to their tally, their chances of qualifying for the group will blossom like lightning. Although Yokohama Mariners are ranked second in the J-League and their strength is not to be underestimated, Taishan has the advantage of home field and is expected to win.
In the lineup arrangement of both sides, Taishan offered a starting lineup of four foreigners. Fellaini was the starting spearhead, followed by Kressan and Moises. On the defensive side, Jadson held down the rear guard and the domestic players were mostly international regulars. Brazilian strikers Pato and Fernando are on the bench, waiting for their moment. Yokohama Mariners, on the other hand, played on the road and fielded an almost entirely substitute lineup, with all of their starters, including former Chinese Super League foreigner Lopez, left on the bench.
Yokohama Mariners were the first to break the deadlock in the 37th minute of the match. After a brilliant 2-1 play, Elbe burst into the Taishan penalty area and skillfully crossed the ball into the empty net, where Hirata Mizunuma leapt up and fired an aerial shot to put Shandong Taishan 0-1 down.
In the 49th minute, the Yokohama Mariners extended their advantage with a quick counterattack and a precise pass to Nam Tae-hee, who was unmarked in the middle of the pitch and fired a shot straight at the goal. However, VAR intervened and ruled Nam Tae-hee offside, and the goal was disallowed. Immediately after, Taishan corner kick attack, Fellaini's action in the penalty area caused controversy, the referee did not make a penalty, VAR after a long time to check also did not award a penalty kick, suspected misjudgment.
In the second half, Taishan brought on Pato and Fernando one after another with the intention of strengthening their offense, but there were few chances as Yokohama Mariners' counterattacks followed them. In the 87th minute, Taishan came close to equalizing the score, as Cressan's header hit the post and missed a good opportunity. In the end, Taishan lost 0-1 to Yokohama Mariners at home, failing to continue their momentum of two consecutive wins in the AFC Champions League. Although Taishan is currently the best team in the Chinese Super League, they did not manage to take any advantage against the strong rotating lineups in the Japanese league. We need to look at this gap and realize that there is still a long way to go in soccer. Although Taishan has a chance to win the game, the dream of winning the AFC Champions League still needs to be pursued.
