In the 8th round key match of the Chinese Super League, Chengdu Rongcheng FC hosted the formidable Shandong Taishan at home. The match was not only a competition between the two teams, but also a tactical battle between the two Korean coaches, Xu Zhengyuan and Choi Kang-hee. In the match dubbed the “Korean Coach Derby,” Gao Zhunyi’s superb long pass allowed Liao Lisheng to break the deadlock from a tight angle, scoring the only goal of the match for Shandong Taishan, who edged out with a 1-0 victory.
Despite only one goal in the match, the tactical standoff between the two teams was particularly intriguing. Shandong Taishan’s “631” tactical arrangement obviously posed a tough challenge for Chengdu Rongcheng, and in the game of wits between the two Korean coaches, the more experienced Choi Kang-hee gained the upper hand.
Match Review: Prior to this match, Chengdu Rongcheng had achieved an impressive five consecutive wins and were ranked second on the leaderboard. They hoped to use the home field advantage to continue their good momentum. Their opponents, Shandong Taishan, despite being seen as favorites for the championship, were troubled by inconsistent form. Their 4-1 victory over Cangzhou Mighty Lions in the previous round seemed to herald a resurgence for Taishan.
At the start of the game, Chengdu Rongcheng deployed their regular tactics, with all their strong foreign aids and key players, such as Zhou Dingyang and Wei Shihao, taking the field. Compared to Chengdu Rongcheng’s lineup, Shandong Taishan unexpectedly appeared with an all-Chinese team, supplemented by the single foreign aid Delgado. Nonetheless, they were the first to break the deadlock on the field.
So, how did Taishan achieve a breakthrough under the 631 formation with an all-Chinese roster? Gao Zhunyi and Liao Lisheng provided a perfect answer to this question. In the 11th minute of the first half, Gao Zhunyi’s precise long-distance pass allowed Liao Lisheng to take control before the opposition’s defenders could react, and he completed a fine shot from a tight angle, putting Shandong Taishan ahead 1-0.
Although Chengdu Rongcheng seemed to hold the upper hand on the field, they were never able to turn this advantage into actual goals, and this was clearly within Choi Kang-hee’s expectations. In the second half, as Rongcheng gradually made targeted adjustments to Taishan’s tactics, the situation began to tilt in their favor. However, Shandong Taishan still maintained a strict defense until the end of the match, successfully holding on to a 1-0 score and thus securing a precious victory away from home.
MVP Review of the Match: Taishan’s goal was like a microcosm of the entire match. Taishan’s strategy was simple and practical, aiming straight at Rongcheng’s weaknesses with a precise and deadly blow. Although Rongcheng seemed to have control of the field with a more aggressive playing style, they failed to make an effective impact on Taishan’s defense.
If an MVP were to be chosen from this match, Choi Kang-hee would undoubtedly receive numerous votes. Taishan’s on-paper strength was not as great as Chengdu Rongcheng’s, especially considering the “all-Chinese team” starting lineup in this match, which would seem an incredible choice to many Chinese Super League teams. However, Choi Kang-hee showed his capability of achieving surprise victories with seemingly conservative lineups, a trait he previously demonstrated during his time at Jeonbuk Hyundai when facing Chinese Super League teams with an “all-Korean” squad. Even when some might think he was ready to give up the fight, his various lineup adjustments in practice always showed ample preparation and a desire for victory.
In summary, Choi Kang-hee’s strategy and command in this game are exemplary enough for professional research and study. It is worth mentioning that during the halftime break, Teacher Dong Lu in the studio specifically analyzed Choi Kang-hee’s tactical arrangement and highly praised his deployment of players in this match, giving it an extremely positive evaluation. Do you resonate with this sentiment?
