Shandong Taishan and Yokohama F. Marinos met again and drew 2-2 to continue their AFC Champions League journey.

On the evening of October 22, during the third round of the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League East Asia Group Stage, Shandong Taishan faced off against Yokohama F. Marinos at their home ground in Jinan. The match concluded with a 2-2 draw.

This match marked the third encounter between the two teams this year and the fifth in the past two years. Last season in the AFC Champions League, Shandong Taishan suffered a heavy loss against Yokohama, conceding seven goals and enduring four consecutive defeats, which prevented them from advancing to the semifinals. In contrast, Yokohama went on to secure the runner-up position. The draw in this recent match helped Shandong Taishan end their losing streak against their Japanese rivals.

Shandong Taishan fielded a full squad for this match, with outstanding performances from their foreign players. Zheka made his first start and formed a striking partnership with Kleyen. The midfield consisted of Kazaishvili, Liao Lisheng, Li Yuanyi, and Wu Xinghan, while the backline featured Liu Yang, Gao Zhunyi, Zheng Zheng, and Marcel. Wang Dalei took his position in goal.

The game kicked off with action right from the start. In the 15th minute, Zheka intercepted the ball in midfield and initiated a counterattack, but Kleyen’s shot went off-target. Just a minute later, Yokohama’s Kenta Inoue had a close attempt in the box that narrowly missed the goal. The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when Shandong’s trio of foreign players connected brilliantly. Kazaishvili cut inside with the ball, Zheka laid it back, and Kleyen produced a low drive that found the back of the net, giving Shandong a 1-0 lead going into halftime.

As the second half commenced, Yokohama came back strong. In the 54th minute, after a corner taken by Jan Matheus, Shandong’s defense faltered, allowing Anderson Lopes to score with a effortless header, leveling the match at 1-1. Then, in the 87th minute, Jan Matheus struck again, putting Yokohama ahead 2-1 with a powerful shot.

However, the drama wasn’t over yet. In stoppage time, during the 92nd minute, Peng Xinli executed a remarkable save, and Zheng Zheng scored from a header, equalizing the match. The final score stood at 2-2.

Following this match, both Shandong Taishan and Yokohama F. Marinos have completed three games in the group stage, each achieving one win, one loss, and one draw. Next up, Shandong Taishan is set to take on Pohang Steelers in South Korea on November 6.