The final of the 2021 season of the National Football Association (NFA) Cup kicked off yesterday amidst a passionate clash at the professional soccer stadium in Chengdu's Phoenix Hill Sports Park. Shandong Taishan defeated Shanghai Seaport by a narrow 1:0 margin with a brilliant long-distance shot by defender Jia Desong, bringing the FA Cup trophy back to the Taishan team camp.
Undoubtedly, Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Harbor play a pivotal role in today's Chinese football world. In the Chinese Super League, Taishan was crowned three rounds ahead of schedule with 51 points, while Shanghai Harbor came in second with 45 points. The FA Cup final is a testament to the strength of both teams.
Shandong Taishan has reached the final of the F.A.C. Cup 12 times, winning the title six times, and advancing to the final in the last four tournaments. If they can win the cup again, Taishan will become the first team in the history of Chinese football to win the double championship three times. Shanghai Seaport, on the other hand, hopes to take this opportunity to realize the zero breakthrough of the F.A.C. Cup championship.
In the first half of the match, both sides went back and forth, exchanging attacks and defenses. In the 16th minute, Oscar's cross created a great opportunity for Yu Hai, but was valiantly parried away by Taishan goalkeeper Wang Dalei. In the second half, Taishan gradually took control of the game, although the 0:0 stalemate lasted until the change of players, but the appearance of Jin Jingdao and Qi Tianyu injected new vitality into the team.
In the 82nd minute, Jin Jingdao won a free kick in front of the goal, and Sun Junho's shot hit the crossbar and bounced out. Shanghai Harbor goalkeeper Yan Junling knocked the ball out of the box, while Jia Desong seized the opportunity and hit a powerful shot to open the door for Taishan. In the end, Shandong Taishan had the last laugh with a score of 1:0 and won the AFC Cup.
In the 2021 season, Shandong Taishan returned to the top with their stable investment to stand out among many Chinese Super League teams facing financial pressure. For this deep-rooted team, this is just the beginning of their glorious journey.
