FA Cup Preview: Chongqing Tongliang Dragon Aims for Promotion or May Sacrifice, Shandong Taishan Aims for Title with Full Effort

On the evening of June 22nd at 7:30 PM, the FA Cup enters its fourth round with a clash between second-tier club Chongqing Tongliang Dragon and visiting Shandong Taishan.

Chongqing Tongliang Dragon currently boasts an impressive record of 9 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss in the China League One, amassing 31 points and temporarily sitting in second place on the leaderboard. The team is in top form and aspires to secure promotion to the top tier this season.

In their 7 home matches this campaign, Chongqing Tongliang Dragon has remained unbeaten with 6 wins and 1 draw. They have scored 15 goals while conceding only 4, demonstrating dominance in both attack and defense. Their home performance is the best in the league. Facing a domestically strong Shandong Taishan in the FA Cup, they might prioritize their league campaign.

The team has been unbeaten in their last 12 matches across all competitions, boosting their confidence. Although they would be eager to test themselves against Shandong Taishan, considering the bigger picture, the FA Cup schedule could impact the team’s stamina later in the league season, potentially affecting their promotion push. Therefore, a strategic decision may be necessary.

Shandong Taishan has had a less than stellar season in the Chinese Super League, recording 8 wins, 5 draws, and 2 losses after 15 rounds, placing them 29th with 29 points. They trail second-placed Shanghai Greenland Shenhua by 8 points and league leaders Shanghai Port by a significant 10-point margin, effectively dropping out of title contention.

In their 7 away fixtures this term, Shandong Taishan has managed 3 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss, scoring 8 goals and conceding 6. Their attacking performance on the road has been underwhelming, but solid defense has secured decent results. After losing the FA Cup title last season and missing out on a four-peat, the team will be eager to bounce back and reclaim their “traditional” championship trophy this year.

Following a 0-0 draw against Meizhou Hakka and a 1-1 stalemate with Tianjin Jinmen Tiger in Round 13, the team has recently dropped points. With their title hopes fading, they are likely to field their strongest lineup to avoid an upset in the FA Cup.

There is no prior head-to-head history between the two clubs, but in terms of sheer strength, Shandong Taishan holds the upper hand. If they compete at full capacity, it might prove challenging for the hosts to mount a significant challenge.

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