Shandong Taishan soccer team narrowly advanced to the East Asian group stage after defeating Thailand's Bangkok United on penalties in the AFC Champions League elite playoffs. In the first round of the tournament, they got the season off to a good start with a 3-1 comeback win over Australian Premier League champions Central Coast Mariners at home. However, Shandong Taishan suffered a 2-1 defeat in the second round when they traveled to Japanese J-League champions Kobe Victory. In the third round at home to Yokohama Mariners, Brazilian foreigner Cressan was the first to fire, but the other team scored two goals in a row to reverse the lead. At the critical moment, veteran Zheng Zheng headed in a goal to equalize the score for Shandong Taishan and eventually drew 2-2 with their opponents.
Facing Yokohama Mariners, Shandong Taishan sent out a starting lineup that included goalkeeper Wang Dalei, defenders Marcel and Zheng Zheng etc., midfielders Liu Yang, Liao Lixiang, Li Yuanyi and Kazayishvili etc., and Kressan etc. on the front line. On the bench, Liu Shibo, Tong Lei, Wang Tong, Bi Jinhao and Huang Zhengyu did not get a chance to play.
In another set of matchups, Pohang Ironmen, who have won the Club Asia Cup and the AFC Champions League twice, have had an underwhelming run in the AFC Elite League. They lost 1-4 away to Shanghai Shenhua in the first round, then beat Shanghai Harbor 3-0 at home in the second round, but lost 0-1 away to Thailand Super League's Buriram United in the third round. In the East Asian Division standings, Shandong Taishan are in seventh place with four points, while Pohang Tippeligaen are in tenth place with three points.
As for the two leading teams in the Chinese Super League, Shanghai Shenhua drew 2-2 with Central Coast Mariners away from home, while Shanghai Seaport lost 1-3 to Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale away from home.
So what will be the result of Shandong Taishan's away match against Pohang Steelers? Let's wait and see.
