Reporter Lu Mi reports In the crucial match on the evening of the 19th, Chongqing Tongliang Long lost 2-4 away to Liaoning Iron Man, breaking the tie that had seen both teams level on points over the previous three rounds, with only goal difference separating them. After 17 rounds, Chongqing Tongliang Long has accumulated 37 points, trailing Liaoning Iron Man by 3 points and currently sitting in second place.

Midfield control lost, the game tilted heavily

Liaoning Iron Man clearly stated their ambition for promotion at the start of the season, representing a significant hurdle for Tongliang Long on their path to promotion. From the beginning of the season, Tongliang Long has shown stable performances against promotion rivals, demonstrating strong competitiveness. In their first encounter of the season held in Chongqing, Tongliang Long came from behind to win 2-1 after initially conceding a goal, and they also excelled in various key statistics. However, in the second half of the season, during their next meeting, both teams had the same foreign player lineup, yet Iron Man decisively ended the match in less than 40 minutes.

The match process indicates that Li Jinyu has maximized the attacking combination of Mbengue, Banjin Yiyu, and An Yien. In contrast, after substituting Huang Xiyang from the starting lineup, Tongliang Long struggled to transition effectively between attack and defense, finding it difficult to break through the opponent's midfield. Their timing in ball handling was also poor, leading to immediate passivity after losing possession to the opponent.

Before the match, Li Jinyu mentioned he had done extensive homework, and the match clearly reflected this. He evidently drew some inspiration from the FA Cup match where Henan eliminated Tongliang Long, continually attempting a high-pressure strategy against them and decisively targeting their backline. It was apparent that Salvador's tactics had been specifically countered by the opponent. Liaoning Iron Man utilized the barrier role of double defensive midfielders Tian Yinong and Felipe to cut off the passing lanes of Tongliang Long's midfield core, Li Zhenquan, forcing them to rely solely on crossing from the wings for their attacking approach. Li Jinyu's tactical design demonstrated precision, with Banjin Yiyu playing as a free midfielder, linking attacks while also dropping back to organize play, while Mbengue exploited his physical advantage to repeatedly challenge Tongliang Long's defense, creating an efficient model of "midfield strangulation + frontline breakthrough." Facing such an approach from the opponent, Tongliang Long, completely passive, revealed the shortcomings of their young squad—lack of experience, leaving them unsure of how to respond.

An expensive tuition fee on the road to promotion

In the first half, despite Xiang Yuwang pulling one back, the significant deficit and the overwhelming home crowd affected the psychology of Tongliang Long's players. At the start of the second half, Salvador substituted Zhang Yingkai and Liu Mingshi for Wu Yongqiang and Ruan Qilong, continuously adjusting personnel to ensure adequate stamina. Meanwhile, with a substantial lead, the opponent also intentionally tightened their defense. Consequently, throughout the match, Tongliang Long's total number of shots was still significantly higher than that of the opponent, and their shots on target also exceeded those of the opponent. However, it wasn't until the 80th minute that substitute Tian Xiang assisted Kario to score another goal. Ultimately, in this crucial match, Chongqing Tongliang Long lost 2-4 to Liaoning Iron Man.

From the outcome, a two-goal defeat away from home is not surprising and is not unacceptable; however, the collapse in the first half with a score of 0-4 exposed Tongliang Long's tactical shortcomings and psychological fragility. Although players like Xiang Yuwang and Kario showed fighting spirit, the stability of the defensive system, midfield control, and mental fortitude in crucial moments still need significant improvement.

For Tongliang Long, who aims for promotion, this defeat serves as a harsh lesson and a test of the team's resilience. This type of loss also serves as a reminder to the coaching staff that the overall defensive formation must be optimized, especially in terms of setting up cooperative defense plans against different opponents' forwards. Additionally, the use of midfield personnel is critical; finding ways to maintain transition efficiency without Huang Xiyang will be a decisive factor for a more stable future.