Super Eagles’ captain Mikel Obi showcased his skills for Tianjin Teda but couldn’t prevent the team from facing a 2-1 loss against Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League (CSL) encounter on Friday.
The match marked Tianjin Teda’s inaugural home defeat this season, following a streak of three wins and a draw in their previous four home games. Ghana’s Frank Acheampong initially propelled Tianjin Teda into the lead with a successful penalty kick in the 59th minute.
However, Shandong Luneng’s Hao Junmin managed to equalize the scoreline in the 79th minute. The suspense intensified as the game approached its conclusion, and in the dying moments, Wu Xinghan’s strike in the 93rd minute secured the crucial victory for Shandong Luneng.
Tianjin Teda’s fourth defeat in 11 league games places them in the eighth position on the league table, amassing a total of 15 points.
The team faces a challenging fixture next as they prepare for an away clash against Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday, July 7. Interestingly, this upcoming encounter could involve a reunion with Obafemi Martins, who currently faces injury concerns for Shanghai Shenhua.
Despite the setback, Mikel Obi’s participation and the team’s overall performance reflect their continued effort to strive for success in the CSL. The match against Shanghai Shenhua presents an opportunity for Tianjin Teda to bounce back and regain momentum in the league campaign.
