Shanghai Lions Legends team celebrates their 2–1 win over Lao Pao in the SPL V Golden Cup semifinal, May 2025.

Lions Legends Beat Lao Pao to Reach SPL V Golden Cup Final

Last Sunday, our Lions Legends faced off against Lao Pao in Round 4 of the SPL V Golden Cup — the penultimate match of the 2024/2025 season. The game took place at Qiantan L Sports Park, buzzing with energy thanks to a massive youth tournament happening at the same time.

Lao Pao brought a strong, well-balanced squad, although notably no semi-pros or ex-Chinese national team players were in attendance this time.

⚽ First Half: Tense but Tactical

The match kicked off in a classic 4-3-3 formation, with Othmane stepping in as our stand-in keeper. The early rhythm was slow due to the heat, as both teams took time to assess each other.

While the Legends dominated possession, Lao Pao stayed compact and deep, clearly looking to hit on the counter with their quick forwards. Despite creating a few chances, our shots were repeatedly blocked by flying legs or bodies in the box.

The second quarter followed the same pattern. We struggled to find our No.10 Cyril between the lines, and when we managed to get the ball into wide areas, Pierre often found himself alone against 3–4 defenders. The score remained 0–0 at halftime, though the match remained enjoyable to watch.

🔁 Third Quarter: Tactical Shift Pays Off

Coach Kevin, alongside David, called for a more compact structure as midfield space began to open up too easily. The message was clear:

Move the ball quicker
Find runners in the gaps
Get more bodies into the box

Five minutes in, it paid off. Hira cleverly beat the defender at the near post and slotted home after a pinpoint cross from the left. 1–0 Lions Legends!

Shortly after, Julien made it 2–0 with a powerful header after pouncing on a loose ball inside the box. This gave the team a confidence boost and breathing room.

🔚 Final Quarter: Holding Strong

The objective for the final 20 minutes was to manage the lead, stay compact, and absorb pressure. Unfortunately, Lao Pao pulled one back — their winger broke down the flank and cut into the box, squaring it to their striker for a tap-in. 2–1.

Still, our Legends remained composed. We stuck to our structure and created multiple chances to extend the lead. Lao Pao’s keeper, however, put on a man-of-the-match performance, denying us time and time again.

In the closing moments, Lao Pao pushed forward, but their surge came too late — they never managed a clear-cut chance to equalize.

🏁 Full-Time:

[ SPL V ] Shanghai Lions FC 2-1 Old Guns FC

A strong, smart, and collective performance!

🎟️ Road to the Final

With this victory, the Lions Legends officially qualify for the SPL V Golden Cup Final. We’re now tied at the top with Marlins (both at 12 points) — setting up a decisive showdown in two weeks to determine the champion!