Beijing Guoan win 2018 Chinese FA Cup

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A 2-2 away draw was enough for Beijing Guoan to pocket their fourth Chinese FA Cup title on Friday, as the capital-based outfit overcome Shandong Luneng on away goals after the two sides have tied 1-1 in the first leg on Guoan's home soil on November 25.

Zhang Xizhe's powerful header in the 81st minute gave Guoan a 2-1 lead, 3-2 on aggregate, which meant the hosts needed at least two goals to turnover the game.

Diego Tardelli's header in the 89th minute lit the hope for them, but it turned out to be just a consolation goal. Luneng were still running and trying to find a chance in the extra time, but when defender Dai Lin was sent off with two yellow cards, everything was gone.

Zhang Xizhe (L) of Beijing Guoan celebrates scoring the second goal during the 2018 Chinese FA Cup Final match between Shandong Luneng and Beijing Guoan at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre Stadium on November 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

"I would grade myself with 70 or 80 points, but I tried my best to unite the team. I will work much harder in future," said Li Xiaopeng, the head coach of Luneng.

"I should send my sincere thanks to our fans. We tried to take the title, and we fought to the last minute," the 43-year-old Li added.

Jonathan Viera opened the scoring for the visitors at 16 minutes into the match. But Carlos Gilberto Gil scored the equalizer after Tardelli's free kick was blocked by Guoan's goalkeeper Hou Sen.

Luneng won the Chinese FA Cup title five times in history while Guoan have four now. The last time Guoan won CFA Cup was way back in 2003. A Chinese FA Cup title gives Guoan an automatic berth in next year's AFC Champions League.

Bejing Guoan will face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR), Buriram United (THA) and the champion of Japanese Emperor's Cup in Group G, while Shandong Luneng will start their 2019 AFC Champions League in the preliminary stage.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency