Salvador: We are fully capable of challenging for the China League One championship!

Reporter Lu Mi reported On the evening of August 2, at the Weinan Sports Center, thanks to goals from Zhang Zhixiong, Li Zhenquan, and Wu Yongqiang, Chongqing Tongliang Long defeated Shaanxi United Moon Lake 3-0 away, narrowing the gap with league leaders Liaoning Steelers to just 1 point, while also increasing their lead over third-placed Yanbian Longding, bringing them closer to their promotion goal.

In the first match of August, Chongqing Tongliang Long visited the Shaanxi Weinan Sports Center. Although they faced the mid-lower ranked Shaanxi United, Salvador surprisingly changed their tactical approach, which is quite rare this season. In response to Shaanxi United's emphasis on ball possession (ranking high in league possession) and fast wing play, Salvador devised a strategy focused on defense and quick counterattacks. Just 11 minutes into the match, Zhang Zhixiong cleverly seized the opportunity at the front post, scoring with a deft touch to break the deadlock; during stoppage time in the first half, Li Zhenquan made a personal breakthrough, calmly shooting into the far corner after evading defenders, giving Tongliang Long a 2-0 lead at halftime; in the 78th minute, substitute Wu Yongqiang scored after a wall pass, sealing the victory at 3-0 for Tongliang Long.

All three players who scored in this match came from the midfield: Zhang Zhixiong scored the first goal, showcasing his keen sense for positioning and quickly becoming a key player in the team's transition since joining Tongliang Long this season; Li Zhenquan's goal highlighted his top-tier individual ability—demonstrating excellent footwork under pressure, evading defenders to shoot into the corner, showcasing his finishing skills and mental fortitude in high-stakes situations; substitute Wu Yongqiang scored on his second appearance off the bench this season, embodying the idea that "opportunity favors the prepared."

Each player fulfilled their role, scoring in different ways, confirming the diversity and depth of Tongliang Long's attack. Currently, the team does not rely on a single core player for goals, but rather achieves efficient output through teamwork. The rise of both mid-career and young players indicates the team's unlimited potential for the future.

After losing away to Liaoning Steelers, Chongqing Tongliang Long regrouped and has now secured two consecutive victories, not allowing lower-ranked teams to hinder their progress. Looking back at the last 10 matches, the team experienced a low point in the first four games, but recent matches have clearly shown a return to form, with improved offensive efficiency and defensive issues being addressed. On the offensive end, Leonardo has returned from injury; although he has yet to score in the league, he has created more opportunities for his teammates to exploit space, helping the team score from multiple sources.

Currently, Tongliang Long's situation presents both opportunities and challenges, with control firmly in their hands. The league has completed 19 rounds, and Liaoning Steelers were held to a draw by Guangzhou Leopard this round, allowing Tongliang Long to close the gap at the top to just 1 point while extending their advantage over third-placed Yanbian Longding to 11 points. While consolidating their promotion advantage, Tongliang Long has also intensified the title race.

In the remaining 11 rounds of matches, Tongliang Long will still face promotion contenders, but with a majority of home games, this is beneficial for the team to secure points. It is worth noting that the team also needs to improve their scoring efficiency against mid-lower ranked teams like Foshan Nanhai and Guangxi Pingguo, avoiding situations like the first half of the season where they "gave warmth" to opponents.

In the promotion window, Tongliang Long is closing in on the top of the table, with a mature squad and the advantage of home games in the remaining matches, riding a wave of momentum. After the match, Salvador stated: "The entire team executed exceptionally well tonight, demonstrating high standards in both aggressive pressing on the defensive end and coordinated movement in midfield. I am incredibly proud of the effort and attitude the players showed on the field! If we maintain this fighting spirit, I believe we are fully capable of challenging for the league championship!"