Shanghai Shenhua won the fourth Chinese FA Cup title on away goals against city rivals Shanghai SIPG at Shanghai Stadium on Sunday night.
Shenhua lost 3-2 on the team’s home soil, but still bagged the 2017 CFA Cup trophy thanks to the 1-0 victory in the first leg of the final at Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium last weekend.
SIPG took the lead through Lu Wenjun as he converted a cross from former Chelsea star Oscar.
Cao Yunding equalized before a stunning shot from Martins put Shenhua firmly in control.
However, a penalty from Hulk and an own goal from Shenhua captain Giovanni Moreno gave SIPG the win on the night. But the winning result was not enough to steal the title from their city rivals.
It was Shenhua’s first FA Cup triumph since 1998 and earns them a place in next season’s AFC Champions League.
Meanwhile, the defeat leaves Andre Villas-Boas’ big-spending club empty-handed at the end of a frustrating season. He even refused to discuss his future as coach of Shanghai.
“It is not the right time to talk about whether I’m staying or leaving,” said the former Chelsea coach, as quoted by South China Morning Post.
“SIPG knows my decision, so will you. But this is not the best time to talk about it.”
