Despite withdrawing from the title race, Rongcheng remains undeterred, holding onto hope in the battle for dignity.

Reporter Lu Mi reports. Following their early exit from the Chinese Super League title race, Rongcheng swiftly recalibrated their form and moved their attention to the AFC Champions League, playing away against FC Seoul. They showed tenacious fighting spirit—Felipe’s goal being ruled out was an unfortunate footnote, while Jian Tao’s key save stood as a testament to their defensive strength. With one point secured, Rongcheng still holds a good chance of advancing in the AFC Champions League, contingent on their performance in upcoming games.

After three rounds of the AFC Champions League, Rongcheng has only accumulated 3 points, placing them in the lower-mid table. However, this unfavorable position has instead sparked the players’ fighting spirit. Facing Seoul, who possess former Premier League player Lingard and treat the AFC Champions League as a chance to redeem themselves, Rongcheng opted for an extremely pragmatic defensive counterattack strategy.

“Seoul has a very strong attacking line, so maintaining a solid defense was crucial for us. The players executed this well on the pitch, and our counterattacks were effective too,” said Xu Zhengyuan.

The match’s progress was far from dull as the 0-0 scoreline might suggest. In the 25th minute, team core Romulo, playing through injury, saw his condition worsen and shed tears on the field before being substituted by Delgado. This undoubtedly cast a shadow over Rongcheng’s midfield organization. As head coach Xu Zhengyuan put it, Romulo is “a player who can control the game’s tempo and excels at delivering incisive passes.”

Nonetheless, Rongcheng did not lose composure. Zhou Dingyang’s interceptions and distribution in midfield grew steadier, while the defense led by Timo repeatedly thwarted Seoul’s fierce attacks. Goalkeeper Jian Tao made a spectacular save in the 63rd minute, denying Oliveira a one-on-one chance.

In the second half, Felipe broke through the defense and scored, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul. Still, this counterattack demonstrated Rongcheng’s offensive threat. Wei Shihao came on during stoppage time, injecting fresh energy into the team.

The 0-0 draw earned Rongcheng one point on the road, bringing their total to 4 points and placing them second from bottom. However, they are only one point behind Machida and Seoul, who rank 7th and 8th respectively, so there is still a chance to qualify.

Of course, this draw against Seoul is significant not only in terms of AFC Champions League points but also as a reflection of the changes in Rongcheng after withdrawing from the Chinese Super League title race.

This season, Rongcheng entered the title contention group and even held the top spot for several rounds. However, as the schedule progressed, they were eliminated after losing to Henan in the previous round and shifted their strategic focus to the AFC Champions League. The impact of this “title race pivot” was clearly reflected in this match.

On the positive side, the strategic contraction allowed the team to focus without distraction. Freed from the burden of the league title chase, Rongcheng could concentrate more resources on the AFC Champions League. Although the team has not won in the last four matches across all competitions, except for Romulo’s unexpected injury, the players’ overall physical condition remained stable—especially in the second half, when they continued to apply pressure on Seoul and still managed to organize effective counterattacks. Young players like Hu Hetao and Liao Rongxiang used their stamina to help ease defensive pressure. This improved focus helped Rongcheng avoid the usual “juggling two fronts and losing balance” dilemma.

From a mentality and tactical perspective, Rongcheng became more pragmatic after exiting the title race. In the Chinese Super League, the team often pursues attacking football, but in this away AFC Champions League match, Rongcheng chose to compact their formation and patiently play defensive counterattacks. The three lines stayed closely connected, leaving no gaps for the opponent. This “defend first, then counterattack” tactical approach perfectly matched the needs of an away game. Despite having less ball possession, Rongcheng’s counterattacks were sharp, with Gurfinkel and Hu Hetao frequently initiating attacks from the wings or through interceptions. Felipe’s disallowed goal was a direct result of this efficient counterattack.

However, challenges remain. After Romulo’s injury substitution, the team revealed a lack of depth in the key central position. Also, after Felipe’s goal was ruled out, the team failed to create clear scoring chances, highlighting offensive shortcomings. These issues represent Rongcheng’s current weaknesses and areas for future improvement.

Though out of the Chinese Super League title race, Rongcheng has not lost heart; on the Asian stage, where they were strategically “neglected” last round, they preserved their dignity.

“This season has been tough, having to focus on the league while also competing in the FA Cup and AFC Champions League Elite League. Managing multiple competitions brought many difficulties, compounded by injuries that sidelined many players, making things challenging,” Xu Zhengyuan concluded. He affirmed that for the remaining matches this season, the team will continue to give their all as before.