On January 9, Beijing time, at 19:30, the final of the FA Cup began to compete, and Shandong Taishan played against Shanghai Harbor, and the single game was decided. Pre-match news showed that the Taishan team lineup was in order, the team's injuries had been solved, and 5 foreign players could play. Harbor only have two foreign players Oscar and Mooy to play, Wei Zhen is suspended, and their squad has less room to change.
In the final competition, Shandong Taishan team is more experienced, this is their fourth consecutive time to reach the final of the FA Cup, and in 2020 won the championship. Historically, Shandong Taishan team has won the championship 6 times and entered the final 11 times. In contrast, Harbour's FA Cup experience is not rich, this is their second time in the final, the last time was in 2017, the result was defeated by Shenhua, failed to win the title.
Judging from the lineup of the two teams, Shandong Taishan's lineup is more neat, and Hao Wei also has more room for change. In the league showdown, Shandong Taishan team once changed to a three-back, and the effect was very good. Now that they have met again, right-backs Wang Tong and Ji Xiang have returned, and Taishan may still send the most familiar lineup to play. The goalkeeper should still be Wang Dalei, the defender line Zheng Zheng, Shi Ke, Jia Desong and Ji Xiang or Wang Tong are more likely to play, Zheng Zheng returns to the left-back position, and Ji Xiang or Wang Tong plays the right back. Of course, this combination can also become a three-back at any time, with a lot of flexibility.
The lineup in the midfield is relatively fixed, Fellaini and Sun Zhunhao are paired at the back, Kim Kyung-do and Xu Xin can be full-backs, and Guo Tianyu and Moises are paired up front, which is also a relatively stable combination of The Taishan team. This combination can also be constantly changing in position, and Xu Xin's position will be more flexible. Of course, full-backs such as Liu Binbin and Liu Yang may also get opportunities, and they will have more advantages in speed and breakthrough.
In the harbor, Wei Zhen was suspended for a red card, Paulinho Jr. was absent due to injury, U23 player Liu Zhurun was also injured, and Li Ang had trained with the team. The main squad of The Harbor is also relatively stable, the goalkeeper will be Yan Junling, Wei Zhen is suspended, as long as Li Ang meets the playing conditions, then he and He Xi and Yu Hai can form a three-back, Wang Shenchao and Li Shenyuan as wing-backs.
In the case that Liu Zhurun can't start, Abra Khan is the U23 first choice, he and Moi, Oscar form a midfield, the front court Lu Wenjun and Hu Jinghang can start together, which is also the stronger lineup configuration of the harbor at this stage. Oscar and Mooy are still the key, and how to limit them is a task for the Tarzan team. With the experience of two legs of the league, I believe that Hao Wei has also found a strategy, looking forward to the final is a wonderful game, allowing the players to decide the outcome of the game.
Taishan team is expected to start: Wang Dalei; Zheng Zheng, Jia Desong, Shi Ke, Ji Xiang (Wang Tong); Jin Jingdao, Fellaini, Sun Zhunhao, Xu Xin; Moises, Guo Tianyu
Haigang is expected to start: Yan Junling; He Xi, Li Ang, Yu Hai; Wang Shenchao, Oscar, Muyi, Abra Khan, Li Shenyuan; Lu Wenjun, Hu Jinghang