CFA Cup: Shandong defeat Dalian to advance

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Shandong Luneng defeated Dalian Yifang 3-0 in the second leg of the 2018 Chinese Football Association Cup semi-finals on Tuesday evening, allowing them to advance to the next stage on a 4-0 aggregate result.

Shandong will face the winner of Wednesday night's match between Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou R&F.

The match was the third between the two clubs in roughly a month. Shandong topped Dalian 1-0 on August 21 in the first leg of their CFA Cup contest. Dalian won the next meeting, a Chinese Super League match, 4-3 on September 1.

All three goals on Tuesday night were scored in the second half, and Luneng's midfielder Diego Tardelli was the main contributor.

Shandong Luneng's Diego Tardelli (2nd L) and Jin Jingdao (2nd R) in action during the match against Dalian Yifang for the Chinese Football Association Cup semi-finals second leg, Jinan Olympic Sports Center, Shandong, September 25, 2018. /VCG Photo

In the 47th minute, Tardelli fed the ball to Liu Yang, who fired it from the top of the penalty arc to break the deadlock.

Four minutes later, the Brazilian carried the ball to the left side of the goal area and kicked it to Jin Jingdao, who scored the second goal for Luneng.

The third one came on a penalty given in the 86th minute. Tardelli put it in the back of the net to stamp the club's ticket to the next round of the CFA Cup.

Beijing Guoan face Guangzhou R&F after defeating the club 5-1 in the first leg of the CFA Cup semi-finals. Luneng manager Li Xiaopeng said he is expecting a close match.

"I know Guoan's coach well, I know Guoan's players well, and I think that will be a crucial showdown," he said.

(Top image: Diego Tardelli of Shandong Luneng /VCG Photo)