Retaliation against Taishan Compensates for Away Regret, Guoan Sets Sights on the Future

Special Correspondent / Song Ci On the evening of July 4th, a key match of the 17th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL) took place at the Workers' Stadium. Beijing Guoan secured a 2-0 home victory over Shandong Taishan. This heavyweight clash allowed Guoan to achieve three consecutive league wins while also exacting revenge for their away defeat to Taishan earlier in the season (Round 2). Furthermore, they resolutely defended their decade-long unbeaten home league record against their old rivals.

Historically, since the 2016 season, Guoan had never lost a home league match to Taishan, giving them a psychological advantage. However, Taishan has seen a resurgence in form this season, playing with great strength and consistently ranking among the league's top teams. They were by no means easy opponents. Adding to the challenge, Guoan's main lineup was plagued by injuries, with key players Zhang Xizhe and Wang Gang sidelined, directly impacting their regular offensive and defensive systems.

Adding to the fans' concerns was the fact that the aura of invincibility at the Workers’ Stadium had largely faded this season, with teams like Tianjin and Henan having already breached Guoan's fortress to claim points. Consequently, their home ground was no longer a reliable bastion. Therefore, even though Guoan held a numerical advantage in foreign players for this match, many Guoan fans were apprehensive before kickoff, fearing another home setback. The arrival of a large contingent of Shandong fans for the away match further heightened the game's suspense.

In the pre-match press conference, Guoan's head coach, Montgomery, appeared very cautious. He stated unequivocally that past results could not be changed, and the team's only option was to focus on the present and give their all in this match. Montgomery fully acknowledged the strength of Shandong Taishan, describing them as a top domestic team with an excellent squad and outstanding players. He emphasized that the best way to respond to a strong opponent and show respect was to concentrate on their own performance and compete with one hundred percent of their competitive spirit.

The game proved that a low-key and respectful approach beforehand can indeed translate into positive performance. Guoan proved to be the better side with a solid display on the field. Their attack and defense flowed smoothly and orderly, effectively suppressing the opponent's offensive rhythm. The team controlled the tempo of the entire match. Furthermore, with the opponent having a player sent off early, Guoan achieved comprehensive dominance in key statistical areas such as possession and shots on target.

The two goals scored by Serginho and Lin Liangming were fluid and high-quality, with Cao Yongjing's assists perfectly timed, epitomizing excellent team combination play. Facing Taishan's robust style of play and solid defense, Guoan performed steadily throughout the match, offering their opponents no chance for an upset. They completed their season's revenge with a clean home victory.

In the post-match press conference, Montgomery expressed great satisfaction with the final result while also reviewing the ups and downs of the game. He conceded that the first half was fraught with frustrating moments for the team. An early goal was disallowed, followed by missed golden scoring opportunities, and numerous attacking attempts failed to translate into goals. The inability to score despite sustained pressure inevitably led to player anxiety, making the process feel like an exercise in frustration.

However, in this game, Guoan did not panic during the stalemate and maintained remarkable patience. Montgomery stated that in such a situation, patiently waiting for opportunities and exploiting defensive loopholes was the only way to break the deadlock, representing the team's mature experience in handling tough matches. Following adjustments at halftime, Guoan's players' form recovered in the second half, and their coordination became more sophisticated. They successfully capitalized on opportunities to score twice and seal the victory.

Regarding the team's hot streak of four consecutive wins across the league and FA Cup, Montgomery remained pragmatic. He stated that the team had already demonstrated good form before the break, and the current core task was to continue the winning momentum and prepare meticulously for each upcoming game. For the crucial upcoming match against Shanghai Shenhua, the team would give their all, striving to maintain their best competitive form.

When discussing the tactical adjustments and player performances in this match, particularly the positional change for Dawhan, Montgomery provided a detailed explanation. He stated that Dawhan is a versatile and highly adaptable player capable of filling multiple positions. In this game, he performed exceptionally well in both aerial duels and ground passing and control. In the absence of Wang Gang, Bai Yang stepped up and delivered a stable performance. Rotational and substitute players like Cao Yongjing, Yang Liyu, Ru Zinan, Deng Jiefu, and Chi Zhongguo all gave their full effort, contributing in their respective roles. He emphasized that this victory was the result of the entire team's collective effort.

This three-game winning streak in the league has allowed Beijing Guoan to completely overcome the slump and instability experienced early in the season. Montgomery's tactical coaching has yielded significant results, with the team's possession-based football system gradually taking shape and maturing. Currently, Guoan's offensive and defensive system is stable and fluid, and the main players are in excellent form. Rising stars like Cao Yongjing and Yang Liyu continue to shine, becoming crucial factors in upgrading the team's strength, thereby steadily enhancing the team's overall competitiveness.

In the match against Taishan, Guoan focused on short ground passes and penetration in the second half. Montgomery explained that while the team created numerous chances in the first half and dominated the field, they failed to score. In the second half, they relied on team penetration to breach the opponent's defense. He also mentioned that returning players like He Yupeng and Encololo need such high-intensity, tough matches to regain their feel for the game, fine-tune their competitive state, and gradually return to their optimal level.

With the team's record steadily improving, the pressure of relegation has been completely relieved, subtly shifting the focus for the remainder of the season. Guoan has already begun planning for a new cycle, no longer focusing solely on maintaining results this season, but instead looking towards the future. The team intends to fully utilize the practical opportunities of the remaining matches to specifically develop young talents and accelerate the generational transition of the squad. The retention of young player Fan Shuangjie on the team indicates Guoan's readiness to boldly develop homegrown youngsters. Coupled with new recruits from the summer transfer window, the team is systematically honing its younger roster, building momentum for the next season in advance.

At this stage, Guoan boasts a mature tactical system, continuously rising competitive form, and ever-improving young player reserves. Of course, the team's settling and rebuilding process takes time. Guoan expects to achieve a more rational overall team structure within the next year or two.