Ghanaian International Frank Acheampong put up a sterling performance to keep Tianjin Teda in the Chinese Super League after his side held Shenzhen Kaisa to a 1-1 draw, to complete a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Teda who went into the game at Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre with a 2-0 advantage courtesy of Acheampong’s brace in the first leg, had a more defensive approach yet Acheampong remained a thorn in the flesh of the Kaisa defense who had no antidote to the attacker’s swiftness, pace, and power.
John Murray shot the home side into the lead in the 28th minute and Teda went to the break without a response. Both teams came into the second half playing with a lot of intensity, as Kaisa fought for the second goal to annul Teda’s 2-0 lead from the corresponding fixture, Teda on the other hand was looking for the equalizer to further complicate things for the home side.
Captain Frank Acheampong was brought down on the edge of the penalty box after taking on three defenders.
The resultant free-kick by Odil Akhmedov was beautifully connected home by Felix Bastians for the equalizer in the 75th minute.
Teda by these results beat relegation as they advance to the next stage of the play-offs and Shenzhen Kaisa suffering demotion.
“I’m so happy we escaped relegation, I have had incredible seasons with Teda and if the team will be relegated, not at a time I’m the captain of this great club. I told my teammates we could do it and I’m glad we saved our dear club. The fans, management, and everyone is happy, and we’re grateful to God,” Frank Acheampong said after the game.
Tianjin Teda now awaits their opponents for the semifinals of the playoffs.