Shandong Taishan have won the F.A.C.A. Cup eight times in their illustrious history and have been the absolute dominant force by winning the title for three consecutive terms (2020, 2021, 2022). However, their road to winning the title again this season is not a straight one, with Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua also seen as favorites to win the title.
The upcoming AFC Elite League play-offs will perhaps be the last key battle of the season for Shandong Taishan.
Although Shandong Taishan ended up reaping second place in the Chinese Super League in the 2024 season, earning a spot in the AFC Elite League playoffs, Bangkok United likewise earned that status in the 2023-24 season.
In the last three rounds of the Chinese Super League, Shandong Taishan 0: 1 away from Henan, 0: at home against Shanghai Harbor, the media have pointed to Cui Kangxi, but in fact, in the case of insufficient troops and strong opponents, Cui Kangxi has done quite well. Despite losing 1:3 to relegation team Cangzhou Lions on the road, the situation is not so simple.
At present, Shandong Taishan is facing the biggest challenge is the incomplete lineup, especially the problem of foreign aid injuries, which is reminiscent of the last season's Manchester United.
Top scorer Cressan is undergoing treatment for an injury sustained in the final round of the league and it is doubtful whether he will be fit to play in the AFC Elite League. At the moment, Kazaishvili is the only foreign striker in good form, and Zeka, although selected for the AFC Champions League, has yet to participate in the team's joint training, with little chance of playing. In the backline, Liu Yang could be injured, Gao Junyi is suspended, and Wu Xinghan has been ruled out.
At the same time, Bangkok United is also a strong team in the Thai Premier League, the team's total value of up to 7.53 million euros, they have arrived in Jinan on the 10th, all six foreign aid in place.
Shandong Taishan are expected to advance to the elite AFC Champions League if they win the tournament; conversely, they could be relegated to the second tier of the AFC Champions League, just as European teams are unable to participate in the Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Last season, Zhejiang, the third-place finisher in the Chinese Super League, participated in the second tier of the AFC Champions League. And the AFC has the AFC Challenge League under the AFC Champions League II.
At present, Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League prospects are uncertain, the AFC Cup is also full of variables, the AFC Championship title is out of reach, but give up is not a wise move. If you lose to a Thai super team, Shandong Taishan will not be drowned out by public opinion even if they are in trouble.
Facing this tough battle, Shandong Taishan needs to show the same fighting spirit and effort to beat Bangkok United as they did not long ago at home against Shanghai Harbor. After all, playing at home gives the team an advantage in terms of strength. A successful promotion to the AFC Elite League would not only account to the fans, but also boost the team's low morale.
