Shandong Taishan challenged the J-League powerhouse Yokohama Mariners away on the afternoon of December 13 for the final round of the AFC Champions League group stage.
In the previous 5 games, Shandong Taishan ranked first in the group with a record of 4 wins and 1 loss, accumulating 12 points. Yokohama Mariners and Incheon United are tied for second with nine points each, while Filipino champion Kaya has yet to score.
Shandong Taishan's qualifying situation is very favorable, they only need to take one more point to qualify, even if they lose, they have a goal difference advantage to rely on, as long as it is not a big loss.
In addition, there has been particular attention to Cressan's performances, especially with Fellaini and Moises already gone. Cressan and Talisca both scored six goals in the AFC Champions League group stage, leading the scorers' charts.
After the start of the game, Yokohama Mariner made full use of the home advantage and suppressed the formation of Shandong Taishan. Choi Kang-hee repeatedly signaled the defenders to press up to avoid a passive situation.
In the 4th minute, Yokohama Mariner got a free kick opportunity from 30 meters away, Mateus shot from distance, but Wang Dalei steadily confiscated the ball.
Despite dominating the game, Yokohama Marino's shots in the first 30 minutes were mostly long-range shots from outside the box and did not pose much of a threat. In the 28th minute, Cressan made a cross from the bottom, causing Liao Lisheng and the opposing central defender to fall to the ground injured.
In the 35th minute, Ken Matsubara's shot from just wide of the box also failed to pose a threat. In the 40th minute, Judson's shot refracted off a defender and almost resulted in a goal.
In first-half stoppage time, Yokohama Marino's only chance was converted into a goal, with Elbury using his speed to break through and scramble to score.
In the 55th minute of the second half, Shandong Taishan's defense line was lost again, and Lopes scored easily. In the 64th minute, the alarm sounded for Shandong Taishan, and Mateus shot lightly, and Yokohama Mariners took a three-goal lead.
If the game ends with such a score, on the premise that the three teams have 12 points, Shandong Taishan Small Cycle has a goal difference of 0, barely qualifying for the second place in the group.
If one more goal is conceded, Shandong Taishan and Incheon United will both have a goal difference of -1 and will be eliminated with fewer goals.
In the 81st minute, Judson fell to the ground after a physical confrontation, Lopes almost rewrote the score to 4-0, and Shandong Taishan almost caused more points to be conceded.
Yokohama Mariners defeated Shandong Taishan 3-0 at home to finish first in the group. In another match played at the same time, Incheon United defeated Kaya.
Despite a heavy defeat, Shandong Taishan still managed to advance with a thrilling second place in their group (becoming one of the best teams in the three East Asian teams).
Incheon United, on the other hand, faced a tragic fate, with four wins and two defeats, totaling 12 points, but were eliminated on goal difference.