Yunnan Yukun: Every step forward sets a club record

Written by/Zuo Rui From an unbeaten streak of seven matches at the halfway point to consecutive away losses after the league resumed, the FA Cup has provided Yunnan Yukun with a fantastic opportunity for a quick rebound, raising the expectations of local fans eagerly awaiting home matches. Facing the newly promoted Guangzhou Leopard from the China League One, head coach Anderson is highly motivated, stating he will prepare fully, "doing everything possible to defeat our opponents."

Burke leads the new defense line

On the evening of July 18, a 1-3 defeat away in Hangzhou was not an unexpected result; however, leading by one goal for a full 65 minutes before ending up with a 1-3 loss was disappointing. A post-match review revealed that Yukun did not leave empty-handed in this game.

Including 25 minutes of stoppage time across both halves, the highest-paid defender in the Chinese Super League, Romanian international Burke, played for 115 minutes. In addition to his one-on-one defensive experience, aerial dominance in the penalty area, and balanced passing with both feet, he also attempted to participate in corner kicks and long shots.

With Yi Teng injured in the FA Cup Round of 16 and Li Songyi returning from injury after a long absence, Zhao Yuhao's repositioning and Duan Dezhi taking on heavier responsibilities were only temporary measures. Fully utilizing Burke to reconstruct the defensive core and accelerating his integration into the team through matches was Anderson's inevitable choice. After the game, Anderson believed Burke "performed exceptionally well," but he has yet to reach his expected "peak condition."

In Yukun's previous matches, full-backs contributed significantly in attack and often engaged in one-on-one duels defensively. Due to a serious injury to left-back Xu Hongjie, Dilimulati filled in as left-back in Hangzhou, while Tang Miao took on the right-back role. After over an hour, 34-year-old Tang Miao found himself at a disadvantage defensively against the resurgent Mitric and newly substituted Tao Qianglong.

In the 85th minute, another new signing, Chen Yuhao, who had just replaced Tang Miao, watched as Mitric scored directly from a free kick. In the remaining "garbage time," this 23-year-old from Kunming showcased his abilities in long passes, powerful throw-ins, and diagonal crosses. The focus on enhancing the defensive capabilities of new signings while promoting local talent is why the coaching staff and club brought in Chen Yuhao.

The upcoming FA Cup will be another exciting home match for Yunnan fans after a 26-day wait. Against a China League One team, with reduced defensive pressure, Burke, Tang Miao, and Chen Yuhao are likely to start together. Compared to the firepower in attack, the construction of the new defense line may not attract as much attention, but it is crucial for Yukun's second half of the season and even the future.

Anderson clarifies the approach to the cup competition

On July 22 at 8 PM, Guangzhou Leopard will be Yukun's third and final China League One opponent in this season's FA Cup. Previously, as last season's China League One champions, Yukun defeated Dingnan Ganlian and Shaanxi United with identical scores of 2-1, setting a club record by reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

The draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals is quite favorable for the home team, as they not only have home advantage but also face the only remaining China League One team in the top eight of the cup. This has given Yunnan fans great confidence in advancing to the semi-finals. Given Guangzhou Leopard's recent poor form and missed opportunities for promotion, they are considered the "most popular" opponent in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Additionally, since Yukun has never faced this last season's China League Two champion, the match has piqued the curiosity of the home fans.

Halfway through the Super League schedule, Yukun has accumulated 22 points, ranking seventh. Although they have recently suffered two consecutive away losses, causing a drop in their ranking, it has not changed the optimistic sentiment among fans that "the top four is unlikely, but relegation is not a concern." Thus, whether the FA Cup can create new heights has become a focal point for local fans and media.

Long before the league match in Hangzhou, Anderson had already expressed his stance on the upcoming FA Cup. "We will do our utmost to prepare for every FA Cup match, just like every round of the Super League. Both the cup and the league are equally important, and we will do everything possible to defeat our opponents."

The slight mystery and excitement that Guangzhou Leopard brings to the Yuxi football market do not concern Anderson. "Our current preparation is going very well," he said. "We will analyze our opponents carefully before each match, hoping to defeat them in the upcoming games." This indicates that he is considering not just the current home match but also the potential continuation of the FA Cup journey.

Even if it's just a small step forward, it holds significant meaning for this newly promoted team: on one hand, the reconstruction of the defense line requires high-quality matches to strengthen cohesion; on the other hand, unlike traditional powerhouses that view the cup competition as nearly inconsequential, for Yukun, the higher they finish in the FA Cup, the more it benefits the team's confidence and the fans' loyalty.