In the first leg of the AFC Champions League 1 8 finals, Shandong Taishan team welcomed the challenge of the Japanese powerhouse Kawasaki Frontale at their home stadium. Although the Tarzans suffered a 2-3 defeat in this game, the fighting spirit and quality they showed on the field kept people alive with hope for their prospects of qualifying. As the only team in the Chinese Super League to advance to the knockout rounds, Taishan team was under a lot of pressure in this game, but they still fought hard to bring a wonderful game to the fans.
Historically, the Taishan team has played against Japanese teams 21 times, with a record of 7 wins, 2 draws and 12 losses, which is at a disadvantage. However, this did not deter the Tarzan team. They are well aware that if they want to win this game, they will have to put in more effort and sweat. As soon as the game began, the two sides engaged in a fierce confrontation. In the 4th minute, a small-angle shot by Kazaishvili, a foreign aid of the Taishan team, was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper bravely, showing the tense atmosphere of the game.
In the 7th minute, Tarzan's Cressan's low shot was saved by the opposing goalkeeper again, and Kawasaki Frontale quickly launched a counterattack, and Yuki Yamamoto's volley was high over the crossbar, which made people lament the intensity of the game. In the following game, players from both sides played their own characteristics and launched a wonderful offensive and defensive battle. In the 10th minute, Cressan of the Taishan team fell to the ground in the penalty area, but the referee did not award a penalty, which made the fans of the Taishan team feel a little disappointed.
However, the Tarzan team was not discouraged by this. They continue to stick to their tactical style of play and constantly look for flaws in their opponents. In the 14th minute, Kawasaki Frontale Gercher's header failed to hit the target, and in the 19th minute, Gercher's shot was securely confiscated by the goalkeeper of the Taishan team. Before the end of the first half, Wu Xinghan of the Taishan team stopped the ball and went out of the bottom line and gave the opponent a corner kick opportunity. Subsequently, Li Yuanyi was fouled for handball in the penalty area, and the referee decisively awarded a penalty. In the 28th minute, Kawasaki Frontale foreign aid Erison scored a penalty kick, and the Taishan team fell behind 0-1. Just five minutes later, the Tarzan team suffered another blow, and Kawasaki Frontale foreign player Marsinho rushed to the top of the goal to score with a header to extend the score to 0-2.
Faced with a two-goal deficit, the Taishan team did not give up. They launched a fierce counter-attack in the second half. In the 50th minute, Cressan's push shot went just wide of the goal, giving fans hope of chasing the score. Subsequently, Taishan goalkeeper Wang Dalei saved the opponent's shot with his hand on the penalty line, showing his excellent goalkeeping skills. In the 53rd minute, Wang Dalei once again resolved the opponent's one-knife opportunity and defended the goal for the Taishan team.
In the 67th minute of the game, the Taishan team finally pulled a goal back. Fernando scored from inside the box to make it 1-2. The goal gave Tarzan fans hope for an equaliser. However, in the 70th minute, Kawasaki Frontale made personnel changes and removed two foreign players. This adjustment made the Tarzan team face more challenges, but they still kept fighting.
In the 75th minute, Tarzan's Cressan hit the post in the chaos and missed a great chance to score. However, the Tarzan team was not discouraged. They continued to look for flaws in their opponents and conceded again in the 78th minute. Parent Zhaobo scored to extend the score to 1-3. Although the Tarzan team then attacked with all their might, they were unable to change the score. In the 85th minute, Judson scored with a header, and the Taishan team chased another goal, but the final score was fixed at 2-3.
Despite the defeat in this game, the tenacious fighting spirit they showed on the field earned the respect of the fans. In the next second round of the competition, the Taishan team will make every effort to adjust their tactical play, improve their offensive and defensive strength, and strive to achieve a comeback at home. And Kawasaki Frontale also needs to be vigilant to prevent the Tarzan team from pulling back a game in the next game. Overall, it was a good matchup, with both sides showing their quality and character. We look forward to the second leg and it will be interesting to see who will advance to the quarter-finals.