Yuexiushan News and Preview: R&F v Liaoning

Guangzhou R&F almost got their season off to a flying start in Tianjin but a last minute equaliser meant the hosts escaped with a draw. Can the Cantonese side bounce back from the disappointment or will Liaoning inflict more northern pain on them?

Club News

Jiang Ning is still out injured after picking up a leg injury in training before the Tianjin game and Danish signing Larsen faces a late fitness test. Park Jong-Woo and Wang Xiaolong both celebrated their birthday’s this week but the latter will still be feeling red-faced after his stunning miss against Tianjin.

Last Time Out

With three minutes of stoppage time to go, a one goal lead to protect and after having been under pressure all game, most teams in the world could be relied upon to get 11 men behind the ball to prevent a late equaliser. Not so R&F however as the defence somehow managed to allow Wang Xinxin a freeheader inside the six yard box to equalise.

Liaoning also opened up with a draw, theirs coming at home to Shanghai East Asia for whom starlet Wu Lei scored. Liaoning’s new Belgian striker announced his and his right arm’s presence in the CSL by scoring on his debut.

Stat of the Week

Tianjin TEDA were awarded 10 corners but R&F didn’t have a single one

Picture of the week

Tianjin’s Li Weifeng demonstrates his respect for the referee

Causes for Optimism…

Guangzhou R&F’s defence held out for almost 91 minutes against an onslaught from Tianjin and whilst the northerners created chances, R&F dealt with defending crosses better than last year until the last minute calamity. At the other end of the pitch new signing Hamdallah has now been with the squad for double the amount of time he was before the Tianjin game so his teammates won’t be strangers to him anymore.

… and for Concern

Last week Sven sent out his team with a very defensive mindset which allowed Tianjin to dictate the game. Liaoning may have lost Edu but R&F will not want Oris and Alexander Jevtic to see a lot of the ball. If they don’t impose themselves on the game better than against Tianjin it will be a long afternoon at Yuexiushan.

Watch Out For

New Moroccan signing Abderrazak Hamdallah will make his home debut on Sunday evening. He showed a few good touches last week and will be hoping for better service this week as looks to open his account in the CSL. There were flashes of petulance too meaning that whatever way this game goes Hamdallah is sure to be involved.

The Verdict

Score draw — Both teams started off with a draw and the Yuexiushan News and Preview feels this will continue on Sunday. Liaoning may not be the most dangerous side in the CSL but if R&F play as defensively as last week then they will struggle to win the game; a 1-1 draw is the prediction.

Reality Check

R&F as predicted by the Yuexiushan News and Review:

P 1   W 0   D 0   L 1   GF 0   GA 1   GD -1   Pts 0

R&F according to the CSL table:

P 1   W 0   D 1   L 0   GF 1   GA 1   GD 0   Pts 1