In a dramatic twist for Asian football, Shandong Taishan abruptly withdrew from the AFC Champions League Elite ahead of their scheduled match against South Korea’s Ulsan HD. The Chinese Super League (CSL) club cited ‘serious health issues’ preventing them from fielding a competitive lineup, forcing their exit from the entire tournament.
But here’s the plot twist: Rivals Shanghai Port still advanced to the last 16 despite a 2-0 home loss to Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos! Under tournament rules, Shandong’s withdrawal automatically bumped Shanghai into the knockout stage—even as their own performance fell short.
Fans are buzzing about the ‘health mystery’ surrounding Shandong , while critics question Shanghai’s readiness after their shaky showing. With the ACL Elite’s new ‘Swiss model’ format shaking up regional rivalries, this saga proves football drama never sleeps.
Stay tuned as Shanghai Port prepares for their high-stakes knockout debut—will they turn underdog energy into glory?
Reference(s):
Shandong withdraw from ACL Elite, Shanghai Port fall against Marinos
cgtn.com