The 15th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL) will see Shandong Taishan challenging Henan away from home, a matchup that will undoubtedly be the focus of the round. The match will be broadcast live on the CCTV5+ sports channel. Given that Fellaini's goal was disallowed in the last round, Shandong is in the spotlight. On the road in Henan, Shandong will encounter unprecedented challenges. Since 2019, Shandong has suffered a lot of blows at home, including a 1-4 defeat last season and a 2-3 loss in the 2019 season. Whether Shandong can break the haze in this match is highly anticipated.
In the Chinese Super League, Shandong and Henan are arch-rivals. The two teams have met 34 times, and Shandong has a slight advantage with 19 wins, 7 draws and 8 losses. However, Shandong, as a veteran powerhouse, has won the title five times and lost eight times, with the number of losses on the road being particularly notable. Under the leadership of Cui Kangxi, Shandong faces a tough test in this round.
For the Taishan team, it is crucial to overcome the pressure brought by the referees. This season, Shandong team repeatedly scored goals in the game after the referee repeatedly viewed the VAR, which had an impact on the players' psychology. In particular, Fellaini's goal in the last round was misjudged, which left the team in a state of shock. In this game, the referee's decision will be the focus of attention, and if there is any bias, the Taishan team may become the focus of public opinion again.
All things considered, Shandong Taishan is more likely to lose in the match. Despite Choi Kang-hee's fruitful record since his appointment, this round of matchup is undoubtedly full of challenges. Fans across the country will be watching this match, especially the performance of the referee.
There are rumors that the Taishan team has offended the referee circle, and if true, that would undoubtedly be a great pity for the Chinese Super League. However, given that the match was broadcast live on CCTV, it is believed that the referees will not blatantly target the Taishan team, otherwise they will not be able to gain the understanding of the fans and media.
