Yesterday, the professional soccer stadium in Chengdu's Fenghuangshan Sports Park witnessed a fierce duel in the final of the 2021 National Football Association (NFA) Cup. With a brilliant long-distance shot by Jadason, Shandong Taishan narrowly beat Shanghai Harbor by 1:0, and lifted the seventh trophy of the AFC Cup.
Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Seaport are undoubtedly the two giants of the current Chinese soccer world. In the recently concluded Chinese Super League, Taishan sealed the title three rounds ahead of schedule with an impressive 51 points, while Seaport followed in second place with 45 points. The matchup in the final of the F.A.C. Cup undoubtedly reaffirms the extraordinary strength of the two sides.
Shandong Taishan has reached the final of the AFC Cup 12 times and won the title six times, and has reached the final of the last four tournaments. If they can successfully defend their title, Shandong Taishan will become the first team in the history of Chinese football to win the double championship three times. Shanghai Seaport has never won the F.A.C.A. Cup before, and this tournament is a historic breakthrough for the team.
In the first half of the match, both sides went back and forth, exchanging attacks and defenses. In the 16th minute, Oscar's precise cross, Yu Hai's swift shot almost broke the deadlock, but was bravely parried by Taishan's goalkeeper Wang Dalei. In the second half of the match, Taishan gradually took control of the game. Although the score was 0:0 for a long time, the team did not get discouraged and replaced Jin Jingdao and Qi Tianyu to adjust the tactics.
In the 82nd minute, Jin Jingdao won a free kick in front of the goal, Sun Junhao hit the crossbar and bounced out, but Shanghai Harbor goalkeeper Yan Junling's mistake in clearing the ball allowed Jadason to get a good chance to shoot, and a powerful shot opened the door for Taishan to win. In the end, Shandong Taishan won the glory of the AFC Cup with a score of 1:0.
The 2021 season was undoubtedly one to remember for Shandong Taishan. At a time when many Chinese Super League teams are facing financial difficulties, Taishan's steady investment has brought them back to the top, and for the deep-rooted Taishan team, the new journey has just begun.
