Shandong Taishan Triumphs in AFC Champions League Opener! 
Hey football fans! 
The AFC Champions League Elite kicked off in style as Chinese Super League giants Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Shenhua both snagged epic wins at home on Tuesday! 
In a thrilling match in Jinan, Shandong Province, Shandong Taishan faced off against Australia's Central Coast Mariners. The stadium was buzzing, and Taishan didn't disappoint! 
Early Lead: Just 8 minutes in, Bi Jinhao soared high to head in a perfect cross from Li Yuanyi, putting Taishan up 1-0! 
Controversial Equalizer: Drama unfolded just before halftime. The referee, after blowing the whistle, consulted VAR and awarded a penalty to the Mariners. 
Mikael Doka stepped up and leveled the score at 1-1. Talk about suspense! 
Taishan's Comeback: The second half was all about Taishan magic! 
In the 74th minute, Liao Lisheng sparked a lightning-fast counterattack, setting up Valeri Qazaishvili who coolly slotted it home for 2-1! 
And just when you thought it couldn't get better, Qazaishvili struck again in the 88th minute, sealing a glorious 3-1 victory for Taishan! 
While details about Shanghai Shenhua's match are still coming in, it's clear that Chinese clubs are making a strong statement in the AFC Champions League Elite! 
Stay tuned for more updates, and let's keep the football fever going! 
Reference(s):
CSL sides Taishan, Shenhua open AFC Champions League Elite with wins
cgtn.com
