The Chinese Soccer Super League (CSL) 2006 runners-up Shanghai
Shenhua saw off the Urawa Red Diamonds from Japan in Jinan on
Wednesday, taking home A3 Champions Cup in the process. The
advantage swung Shenhua's way on goal difference after reigning CSL
champions Shandong Luneng tumbled unexpectedly 2-1 to Seongnam
Ilhwa Chunma from South Korea.
The last round of the A3 kicked off with Shanghai Shenhua and
their Japanese counterparts Urawa Red Diamonds. Shenhua were
looking for revenge after the Red Diamonds dumped them out of the
Asian Champions League (ACL) in April with 1-0 and 0-0 results in
the group stage.
It took only 11 minutes for the Chinese side to take the lead
when Hamilton Ricardo slid in a goal after latching on to Blanco
Rugen's pass.
In the 30th minute, midfielder Chang Lin doubled Urawa's woes by
slotting home a half-volley for a 2-0 lead. Shenhua smelt blood and
rampaged forward with Li Gang making it three with a long spin-shot
before the break.
Credit must be given to the Urawa Red Diamonds who came out
fighting in the second-half and Marcus Murzani made it 3-1 in the
58th minute, leaping clear of the defense for a powerful
header.
In the 75th minute, Junki Koike could have brought Urawa back
into contention but he fluffed an open goal attempt, and the
Japanese J-League champions never recovered.
Shenhua's triumph ensured that the two Chinese clubs would take
the two top spots since both the Urawa Red Diamonds and Seongnam
Ilhwa Chunma had suffered two defeats. All eyes turned to the clash
between Shandong Luneng and South Korean K-League titleholders
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, which would determine if Shenhua could hold
on to the title.
Shandong had seemed unbeatable earlier in the tournament, seeing
off Urawa Red Diamonds and Shanghai 4-3 and 2-1 respectively and
seemed to have victory on their grasp. However, they shockingly
fell to Urawa 2-1, letting Shandong pip them to the post on goal
difference.
Shanghai Shenhua have thus become the first Chinese club to win
the A3 Champions Cup since its inception in 2003.
Previous A3 Champions Cup Titlists:
2003 Kashima Antlers (Japan)
2004 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea)
2005 Suwon Samsung Bluewings (South Korea)
2006 Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i (South Korea)
(China.org.cn by Li Xiao June 14, 2007)
