CSL sides Taishan, Shenhua open AFC Champions League Elite with wins

Chinese Super League (CSL) clubs Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Shenhua both claimed victories at home in their first games in the 2024-25 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite on Tuesday.

Shandong beat Australia's Central Coast Mariners 3-1 in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province. Bi Jinhao scored first in the eighth minute for the home team, after heading a cross from Li Yuanyi into Central Coast's net to give Taishan a 1-0 lead.

The Mariners tied the score before the end of the first half, following a controversial call by the referee. After blowing the half-time whistle, the official checked with the video assistant referee (VAR) and awarded a penalty kick to the visitors. Mikael Doka converted it to level the score at 1-1.

Shandong reclaimed the lead in the 74th minute. Liao Lisheng launched a quick counterattack before passing the ball to Valeri Qazaishvili, who scored to make it 2-1. He added his second goal 14 minutes later to seal the win for Taishan.

Shenhua came from behind to beat South Korea's Pohang Steelers 4-1 in east China's Shanghai Municipality, ending their 15-year winless home streak in the continental tournament.

Although Pohang were playing on the road, they attacked with aggression in the first half and hit the post twice. Shanghai, on the other hand, didn't even get off a shot during the first 45 minutes.

Jorge Teixeira broke the ice for the Steelers in the 53rd minute, following a pass from An Jae-jun. After falling behind at home, Shenhua finally woke up with Andre Luis and Cephas Malele both scoring in a span of seven minutes, after finding the net in the 64th and 71st minutes to give Shanghai a 2-1 lead.

Malele added his second goal eight minutes later from the penalty spot, after Ibrahim Amadou's shot hit the arm of Kim In-sung in the box. Substitute Gao Tianyi tacked on Shenhua's fourth goal in the 84th minute with a volley from the edge of the box.