On August 4 at 8 PM, the 21st round of the Chinese Super League (CSL) will see Nantong Zhinyun host Henan Team at the Rugao Olympic Sports Center.
The teams are in starkly different situations. Nantong Zhinyun is currently last in the CSL, with a four-point gap from the relegation safety line, facing an urgent situation. At the pre-match press conference, both Nantong’s head coach and player Luosa emphasized that given their difficult position, every upcoming match will be a decisive battle.
Nantong has been in poor form recently, suffering five consecutive losses across all competitions. In the FA Cup, they fielded a full reserve team and were eliminated. In the league, they lost to Chengdu Rongcheng, Meizhou Hakka, Shandong Taishan, and Shanghai Port. Particularly damaging was the previous round, where Nantong lost 1-8 away to Shanghai Port, setting records for the most goals conceded and the largest margin of defeat in a single CSL match this season, severely denting morale.
In contrast, Henan Team has been in excellent form recently, winning against Zhejiang and Shandong in their past two matches. In the last seven rounds, they have achieved five victories, one draw, and one loss. The primary reason for this success is Henan’s improved defensive performance, which has significantly progressed compared to earlier in the season.
Henan’s recent successes have propelled them from the relegation zone to mid-table in the standings, with a nine-point lead over the relegation area. Ahead of the game, head coach Nam Ki-il stressed that the team’s recent winning streak has created a positive atmosphere, and their goal is to maintain this momentum. He also cautioned against underestimating their opponents due to their low ranking, emphasizing the need for Henan to focus on defense and prepare for a tough match.
In terms of head-to-head results, the two teams have met three times in over a year, with Nantong Zhinyun winning 1-0 at home and drawing 1-1 in both away fixtures, giving them the upper hand. Henan media have highlighted the match as an opportunity to “rewrite history and avenge past defeats.”
Regarding key players, Nantong media have pointed out Zheng Haoqian as someone to watch. Despite Nantong’s poor recent form, many players have lost motivation, but Zheng Haoqian continues to fight, scoring the only goal in the 1-8 defeat. For Henan, goalkeeper Wang Guoming is a standout player. Since returning from the reserves to the first team, he has started six games, keeping four clean sheets and conceding only two goals, one of which was a penalty.
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