According to the Shenyang Daily, after new manager Li Jinyu led his team to a victory over Chongqing Tongliang Long in the last round of the China League One matches at home, Liaoning Steelmen will host another promotion contender, Guangxi Pingguo Halao, at the Shenyang Olympic Sports Center on July 14th. Currently, with morale significantly boosted, Liaoning Steelmen have a clear goal: to defeat their opponents and secure a second consecutive win.
In Li Jinyu’s debut match as coach, Liaoning Steelmen indeed displayed a different spirit, executing rapid counterattacks with vigor. New signings João Carlos and An Yien quickly integrated into the team, forming a distinctive “trident” with Japanese import Kunitake Hitoshi. Their technical characteristics are distinct: Kunitake Hitoshi orchestrates from the center, linking the midfield and attack; An Yien excels at breaking through on the flanks; while Carlos roams near the opponent’s penalty area, utilizing his excellent ball retention skills to create scoring opportunities. Such an offensive combination would pose a sustained threat to the opposition’s goal, thereby alleviating defensive pressure on the team. It is believed that in Sunday’s match, Liaoning Steelmen will continue to field the front-line “trident” to reinforce their attack.
However, Liaoning Steelmen’s opponents this round are no pushovers. In this year’s China League One, Guangxi Pingguo Halao boasts the highest total player market value. Although the team’s performance this season has not met external expectations, they have a commendable record, currently standing with 8 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses, accumulating 30 points, and ranking fourth in the league table, just 2 points away from the promotion zone. It can be foreseen that in Sunday’s match, Guangxi Pingguo Halao will undoubtedly strive for victory, presenting a formidable challenge for Liaoning Steelmen.
In the previous five encounters between Liaoning Steelmen and Guangxi Pingguo Halao, the former has four draws and one loss, without a single win. Judging from recent form, in the last round, Guangxi Pingguo Halao secured a narrow 1-0 away win against bottom-placed Jiangxi Lushan, recording three wins and two draws in their last five games, demonstrating good form. Therefore, in this match, Liaoning Steelmen still need to adopt a humble stance, focusing on defense first to ensure their goal remains unbreached, then finding ways to capitalize on the “trident” in the attacking third. If they can make the game a stalemate, Liaoning Steelmen will have the opportunity to exploit their opponents’ eagerness for all three points to seek a victory.