Soccer News Headline Today: Shandong Taishan Triumphs Over Chengdu Rongcheng with a Hat-Trick of Victories, Continues Their FA Cup Saga

Yesterday, in the semi-final of the Chinese FA Cup, Shandong Taishan secured a 1-0 victory over Chengdu Rongcheng. The Soccer News wrote that there is an old saying in China that goes, “things happen once or twice but not three times,” or “third time’s a charm.” Therefore, before the match, Taishan fans were generally “calm,” anticipating a tough game as Taishan had already double-killed Rongcheng in the CSL. Indeed, the match was intense, yet Taishan broke the “third time’s a charm” jinx by defeating Rongcheng for the third time and advanced to the FA Cup final for the seventh consecutive time.

Dullness was the predominant feeling at halftime, which was precisely what Choi Kang-hee desired, as Taishan only had three foreign players, with just two in the front line, holding back even in their best efforts compared to Rongcheng’s foreign player lineup. Despite being at a relative disadvantage, Taishan stifled Rongcheng’s momentum through a chaotic battle. In the second half, the match remained a physical struggle, with constant body collisions preventing both teams from creating clear-cut scoring opportunities. After Kajaishvili’s entry in the 46th minute, Taishan gradually took control of the game. Zheng Zheng, the central defender, ultimately became the savior, embodying the team’s strong desire to win. It must be acknowledged that defeating the current league’s third-ranked Rongcheng three times in one season is indeed a remarkable feat, especially considering Taishan’s earlier struggles.

Taishan has reached the FA Cup final for seven consecutive years, from 2018 to 2023, making six finals appearances and winning three consecutive titles from 2020 to 2022. It’s undeniable that Taishan has a special bond with the FA Cup. They were the first FA Cup champions, back in 1995; they were also the first team to achieve the double crown in 1999; in 2006, they repeated this feat; and they remain the only team to have won both the FA Cup and the CSL Cup, given that the latter was discontinued after only two editions.

After advancing to the FA Cup final, Taishan awaits their opponent. On the evening of the 25th, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua and Shanghai Port will compete for the other spot. Interestingly, all three teams are participants in the AFC Champions League Elite League. The FA Cup final is scheduled for November 23rd at a neutral venue. Currently, the Football Association has not finalized the host city, though Wenzhou shows keen interest. Suzhou, which hosted the FA Cup finals in 2020, 2022, and 2023, is another potential candidate. Additionally, it remains unknown whether cities with professional football stadiums have submitted bids.