It’s once again time for what could be called the new “China Derby”, as Guangzhou Evergrande hosts Beijing Guoan on Thursday night. Since Evergrande has joined the CSL in 2011 they’ve of course won the league four times in a row while Guoan has finished second and third two times each.
There have been some epic battles between these sides the past few years, with neither able to win at the other’s ground until Shao Jiayi’s late free kick winner at Tianhe last season changed that. This year, Beijing needs a similar bit of heroics from somebody if they plan on seriously breaking Evergrande’s grip on the title.
With both teams tied at the top, why is it critical for Guoan and not Evergrande? While last year’s victory was important, it came so late that Evergrande still controlled their own destiny going into the season’s last match. The Cantonese side is going through a spot of chaos lately, with their captain suspended and having just changed managers, a win for the visitors would further impact their spiral and give the Men in Green a mental boost going into the second half of the season. Guangzhou are still dealing with a number of injuries
Draws have ruled the day when these two sides have met, with half the matches ending with them splitting the points and that’s most likely what will happen tomorrow, but Evergrande have been here before, they’ve won four straight titles, it’s Beijing that needs to step up and take all three points, especially as they’re more likely to need the cover down the road. With the transfer window just opened and changes likely all around, this is a good opportunity that needs to be taken advantage of by the Beijingers. A failure to do so could lead to regrets when we get into October.
who are that injured players of Evergrande? Elkeson will return? Erton will miss out again?
I’m not sure if Guoan will use Erton or not this time around, guessing he’ll at least be on the bench. Guoan will definitely be missing Lang Zheng, who is likely out for the season. As for Evergrande, Elk is back for this one, but they still have 5 out: Zhang Linpeng, Rong Hao, Li Xuepeng, Alan, and Rene. Plus Zou Zheng and Zheng Zhi are out on suspensions, so their defense is definitely weakend.
What a big chance missed by Erton in the final of the game. Guoan the new champion of China!!! Well played.
*Takes a big deep breath*…
C’mon Hengda! Send those green turtles scurrying back north.
Tut tut Yiddo. 😀
Good game. Guoan should have won this one easily with the number of chances they had, but couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo.
Also the Guoan keeper was a bit of a Jessie. Sounded like he was dying when he got fouled at the end but then promptly got up and ran out to the goal area then sat down again to get some magic spray.
Agreed. Guoan were the better side on the night and should have taken all three, but a tie seems a fair result for both sides, it was a well played match and Ma Ning even did a decent job reffing it. Yang’s “acting” at the end was a bit over the top, but he did get stepped on, it wasn’t like there was zero contact.
Absolutely. It was a clear foul and deserved the booking, but the Hengda player tried to pull up just before he made contact.
I was watching a feed without commentary but when play was stopped you could hear all the on-field talking and you’d have thought that the goalie had just lost his leg to a lion or something like that.
Guoan really were the better side and had at least three good goal scoring opportunities in the second half but they either thought they could dribble the ball into the goal or missed absolute sitters.
Still, happy that Guangzhou grittiness pinched a point from the arrogant Northerners!