On July 21 at 7 PM, Matchday 24 of the Chinese Super League will see Nantong Zhinyun host Shandong Taishan at the Rugao Olympic Center.
The league is entering its final stages, and “fighting spirit” is very critical. The two teams are currently in very different situations. Nantong Zhinyun has been described by the media as being “on the brink,” they are currently at the bottom of the CSL but are only 2 points away from the “relegation line,” making this a prime opportunity to fight with all their might and struggle for survival. In contrast, Shandong Taishan’s situation is somewhat different, they are currently ranked 5th in the league, but with an 11-point gap behind the top three, the hope of competing for AFC Champions League qualification is very slim, which may lead to some players’ attention being distracted. At least, this is a concern for the Shandong media.
Physical condition is also crucial. Both teams played in the FA Cup midweek, but with different levels of commitment. Nantong Zhinyun, focused on avoiding relegation, essentially gave up on the FA Cup, fielding almost an entirely substitute team and were eliminated after losing to Chengdu Rongcheng. Shandong Taishan, however, deployed a large number of their top players, winning 4-0 against Qingdao West Coast and advancing to the quarterfinals, which came at no small cost. Before the match, head coach Choi Kang-hee expressed concerns about physical condition and preparation, pointing out that the recent tight schedule and back-to-back matches have been tough on the team. There was not enough time for targeted preparation, and they could only rely on “the players showing their willpower” to overcome difficulties.
In terms of form, Nantong Zhinyun ended their good run of 2 wins and 1 draw in 3 matches in the second half of June by suffering three consecutive losses in July, indicating a dip in form. Shandong Taishan, on the other hand, suffered a humiliating 0-6 loss away to Shanghai Shenhua on July 6, setting a shameful record for the team. However, they followed that up with one draw and one win in their next two matches, aiming to bounce back and avenge their defeat.
In terms of head-to-head results, in the four meetings between the two teams over the past three years, Shandong Taishan have remained undefeated with 2 wins and 2 draws. In the first leg of this season, Shandong Taishan won 3-1 at home.
The key players highlighted by the media in both regions are foreign players. For Nantong Zhinyun, Nigerian foreign player Anthony is the core of the defense, and this “scoring center back” who has scored 2 goals is also important for the attack-deficient Nantong. Midweek, in the FA Cup, Nantong fielded a full reserve team, but the coach later brought on Anthony, leading to the foreign player getting injured on the poor pitch at Fenghuangshan Stadium. Pre-match information suggests that the foreign player’s injury is not serious, and he may play in this match, though it remains to be seen whether his condition will be affected.
For Shandong Taishan, the key players are also two foreign players. One is Crespo, who scored a hat-trick in the first meeting between the two teams, and his form can significantly impact the match. The other is the newly joined Brazilian foreign player Marcelo, who may make his debut. Shandong Taishan had previously struggled with the absence of their foreign defender Jadelson due to injury, leaving them without a replacement. The performance of the new 28-year-old foreign player will be a significant point of interest.
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