Matchday 3 Recap

Results this week were very interesting, especially Shanghai's stunning victory, so let's not wait:

Tianjin Teda 2 - 0 Chongqing Lifan: RIGHT

Tianjin netted two 1st half goals, one by Wang Xinxin, and then cruised through the 2nd half, this team's league performance is head and shoulders above everyone else.  Original prediction: Tianjin 3 - 0 Chongqing.

Beijing Guoan 1 - Jiangsu Sainty: WRONG

The matchday review says it all.

Shanghai Shenhua 4 - 1 Shandong Luneng: WRONG

Shandong's Antar scored yet another CSL goal, opening up the scoring, but Shenhua came back with 2 very lucky goals in the last 5 minutes of the half.  Adding two more in the 2nd half killed the game and gave Shanghai a big boost going into Champions League matchday 3.  Original prediction: Shangha 1 - 1 Shandong

Shenzhen 2 - 1 Shaanxi Zhongxin: RIGHT

Shenzhen had a magical 5 minutes, scoring goals in the 27th and 30th minutes of the 1st half to jump ahead of Shaanxi, whose 2nd half response wasn't enough to make up the difference, I got this one on the button.  Original prediction: Shenzhen 2 - 1 Shaanxi

Changchun Yatai 2 - 0 Chengdu Blades: RIGHT

Another crazy game, Changchun broke the scorelessness in the 85th minute and then followed it up with another two minutes later.  Chengdu came back with a great free kick chance in stoppage time, but to no avail.  Original prediction: Changchun 1 - 0 Chengdu

Changsha Jinde 1 - 1 Qingdao Zhongneng: RIGHT

Another big bingo!  Yet this one was easy to call, so far Changsha has managed 3 draws, only scoring 1 goal, its pretty easy to guess what their anti-football will produce, this time Qingdao was the victim.  Original prediction Changsha 1 - 1 Qingdao.

Henan Jianye 2 - 0 Hangzhou Greentown: RIGHT

Another game where the score was kept even for a long time and then was shocked by a sudden scoring spree.  The former Polish international Olisadebe knocked in a brace with goals in the 79th and 84th minutes of the match.  Only good thing I can say for Hangzhou is that they were all wearing the same jersey this time around.  Original prediction: Henan 2 - 1 Hangzhou

Guangzhou Baiyunshan 3 - 1 Dalian Shide: WRONG

What can I say, I thought Dalian was a better squad than what it turns out they are.  I knew this team was rebuilding, but I thought it would be better.  At the half the score was 1-1 after a Xu Liang spot kick goal and then one of Dalian's Korean exports knocking one past the keeper 10 minutes later.  Xu added 2 more in the 2nd half, one off yet another penalty, the other from a free kick that has to be one of the prettiest goals scored to date.  Original prediction: Guangzhou 0 - 2 Dalian.

A 5-3 week, a major improvement from last week, but it still leaves me only 8-8 on the season.  Here's hoping for more great football this week.

Matchday 3 Review : Jiangsu Sainty

Greetings from beautiful Beijing!  It's such a lovely evening tonight and we're now coming to the end of an absolutely gorgeous holiday weekend, if not for Friday's result (and our fair city being overwhelmed by waidi ren over the past few days) I'd be able to enjoy it even more.  Let's stop beating around the bush and go straight into the details...

The starting 11 for Guoan featured a few minor adjustments this week, mostly expected.  At the back, Zhang Yonghai was given a run out after finally being approved as fit by the training staff, replacing Lang Zheng at center back.  The only other adjustment was Guo Hui starting in place of Joel Griffiths, who was out after that insane red card last week.

At home, a big crowd, a Friday night, against a team yet to earn a point in 2 matches, pretty straightforward, right?  Despite their record, we knew Jiangsu was still a decent squad, but I don't think any Guoan fan would have expected the end result.  

Jiangsu went on the attack early and only 6 minutes in, one of their foreign forwards got the ball on the left wing and put what should have been a very easily blocked centering pass past Xu Yunlong (defensive error 1), Zhang Yonghai was frozen in place by the ball (perhaps because this was his first match back (defensive error 2)) and Lu Jiang stood watching as the other Jiangsu foreign striker went unchallenged and tapped the ball past Yang Zhi to make it 1-nil to Jiangsu.  What. the. fuck.  Lots of fans had yet to sit down and we're already losing?!?  

Guoan picked up the pace and had two really good opportunities, one in the 27th minute when the ball fell to Xu Yunlong from a corner, the other in the 33rd minute when Wang Changqing knocked it wide.  A few minutes later a Jiangsu forward had his own good opportunity when the defense fell asleep again.  Shortly after the whistle sounded and Guoan went into the change room down a goal.

Manager Lee decided it was time for a change in the 2nd half, bringing Tao Wei and Du Wenhui on for Wang and Guo Hui.  The moves seemed to pay off as Guoan went on the attack and Tao had a great opportunity squandered after a big rebound on a Du shot.  In the 65th, Matic played a good ball in to Du, but the keeper came up with a nice save.  Guoan had chance after chance but they just kept going wide.  However, a minute later, the ball was crossed into the box, mayhem ensued as it bounced around, finally falling between Tao and Du, Tao swung at it and knocked it in to equalize and get the Gongti crowd excited again.

It looked like Guoan would take the lead only 3 minutes later when Martinez played a great ball in to Ryan Griffiths, though his header went just wide.  In the 75 minute, Lee took Lu off and put on Yan Xiangchuang hoping to take all 3 points off of Jiangsu, but it was for naught as the Jiangsu keeper kept his wits about him and made a huge save on Yan in the 87th minute.

1-1, another 2 points dropped.  What can I say?  Another Monday and once again feeling depressed about a game that we could have so easily won, instead beaten by a weaker side's defensive strategy and good goaltending. Jiangsu also did everything they possibly could to delay the game late in the 2nd half, but I'm used to that after having watched Chinese football for awhile.

It might get harder to provide a look into the minds of the players as after this draw, needing to change something, the players have agreed to a gag order and will not talk to the media.  Secretly, one team member is quoted as saying that in the locker room the player's moods are positive, its just that the media is constantly talking about all the pressure on the team.  Also, yet another game and yet another player stepping up and saying it was his fault, this time Zhang accepted blame for his mistake on the Jiangsu goal.

Over the course of the past 2 games, Guoan continuously plays long balls or crosses in from the wing, but to no avail.  The CSL is somewhat unique in that while the majority of players are Chinese, many of the center forwards and defenders are foreign, typically over 1.85 meters.  Jiangsu's central defenders were 1.86 and 1.88, respectively, whereas the tallest Guoan forward on the pitch was only 1.82 meters.  It's a problem that Lee recognizes and, according to him, the perfect scenario would be Guoan bringing in a striker who is at least 1.87 meters.  Will it happen?  Who knows at this point, but at least the manager recognizes this problem.

5 points in 3 matches, leaving us 4 points away from Tianjin, in first.  Tianjin's opponents so far this year have been fairly weak (Dalian, Hangzhou, and Chongqing), though ours have been equally weak.  I feel like I'm repeating myself, its still early in the season, but dropping points to teams like Jiangsu and Changsha, especially at home this week, is going to make things a real uphill battle as we get deeper in the season.  

A break for the Champions League on Wednesday as we head to Korea midweek.  Here's to a good start of the week tomorrow.

Matchday 3 Preview : Jiangsu Sainty

So we get a Friday night fight at Gongti between Guoan and last year's 1st Division champions, Jiangsu Sainty. Guoan is undefeated in all competitions so far this season, winning both matches they played at home by convincing fashion whereas Jiangsu has yet to earn a point in 2 matches this season, however that includes a late defeat against Shanghai and an unlucky loss last week, so don't expect this Jiangsu squad to be a total pushover.

In team news, Joel Griffiths will be sitting this one out after his questionable red card last week, which means Lee Jangsoo has a choice to make who he'll put up top, most likely to pair with Martinez. Guo Hui, Du Wenhui, and Yan Xiangchuang are all possibilities, but my guess is that it will be Du as Lee's liked to use him as a sub and will want to help him get his confidence back after the blown shot last week. It's also very likely that Paul won't see himself suiting up tomorrow and that our two injured veterans, Zhang Yonghai and Zhou Ting, will suit up. Most likely neither will be included in the starting lineup (or at least Zhou won't be), but I'd expect Lee to try and give them both some time in the game.

It will be interesting if the shortened week of practice helped sort out the Martinez/Huang Bowen difficulties. It seems Martinez likes the ball at his feet and needs to play in the hole behind a striker because he's the typical small, stocky(ish) South American forward and the CSL is all about the big man up top. The problem could be solved with Huang on the wing or, best of all, getting them to work together.

The last time these two squads met was back in 1994, when they were both founding members of the then brand new Jia A League. However, Jiangsu manager Pei Encai has a lot of experience going head-to-head against Guoan as former coach of Bayi and Wuhan and has earned himself 2 wins and 3 draws in 6 matches against the side.

Expect some Friday fireworks at Gongti and the fans are surely going to be out in masse and ready for this opportunity. As for me, I'll be making a stop by the Den before the match and then staying in the area afterwords for a drink or two (or possibly even hitting up Mix on a long bar crawl). It's sure to be a great night, but Guoan has got to win this one.

Matchday 3 League Preview

This weekend sees 4 days of matches, lots of football action for the fans, including a holiday Monday matchup. Last week I went 3-5, hopefully this week will be a lot better.

4.03 19:30 Tianjin Teda - Chongqing Lifan
Due to the Champions League, we get treated to some Friday evening football, with 3 out of the 4 CL competitors playing at home. Tianjin has a perfect 6 points in CSL competition so far and taking on a whipping boy like Chongqing at home should be another easy 3 points for them. Prediction: Tianjin 3 - 0 Chongqing (though I wouldn't be surprised if Guinee continues his scoring streak)

4.03 19:30 Beijing Guoan - Jiangsu Sainty
Guoan is unbeaten in all competitions, having won twice at home and drawing twice on the road. A Friday night at Gongti is a rare experience and its sure to be a raucous crowd that will watch the Green Lions face off against last year's 1st division champions who've yet to earn a point this year. Should be easy pickings for Guoan. Prediction: Beijing 2 - 0 Jiangsu

4.03 19:30 Shanghai Shenhua - Shandong Luneng
This is the matchup of the weekend, last year's champion, Shandong, travels to Shanghai to take on last year's runners up. This one's hard to call with Shanghai playing at home in Hongkou and trying to recover from last week's debacle. Will be a great one. Prediction: Shanghai 1 - 1 Shandong

4.04 15:30 Shenzhen - Shaanxi Zhongxin
I like Shenzhen and believe in them after their away draw against Shandong, but last week was a tough derby loss. Shaanxi's also coming off a loss and looking to get back in form, in these early days, this is a hard call, but I'm sticking with Shenzhen in Saturday's only match. Prediction: Shenzhen 2 - 1 Shaanxi

4.05 15:30 Changchun Yatai - Chengdu Blades
Changchun opens up their home season tonight against a Chengdu team that has to be excited after their win over Shenhua. The elements in Changchun and the strength of that side should carry them past the Blades in a close one. Prediction: Changchun 1 - 0 Chengdu

4.05 15:30 Changsha Jinde - Qingdao Zhongneng
Two teams toward the bottom of the table go head to head in Hunan. Changsha plays anti-football and is incredibly boring to watch, but its been relatively effective so far earning them 2 points in 2 matchs, I have a feeling we're looking at another draw for them. Prediction: Changsha 1 - 1 Qingdao

4.05 15:30 Henan Jianye - Hangzhou Greentown
A win and a loss for each of these teams so far this season, Hangzhou's going to put up a fight (in its 2 different kits), but Henan and Netto will push past. Prediction: Henan 2 - 1 Hangzhou

4.06 16:00 Guangzhou Baiyunshan - Dalian Shide
The big holiday Monday matchup in Guangzhou as the home side takes on Dalian. Both teams are coming off a win, Guangzhou in their local derby and Dalian over Henan, but I don't think Guangzhou has the guns to get past Dalian. Prediction: Guangzhou 0 - 2 Dalian