Chongqing Fans Call for Liu Jianye to Step Down After Winless Run Reaches 10 Games, Tongliang Long Face Growing Relegation Pressure

Asian Games Together

On the night of September 6, 56,246 fans at Chongqing Longxing Football Stadium witnessed Chongqing Tongliang Long lose 1-3 at home to Shanghai Shenhua. After the match, the players walked toward the stands to thank the supporters. A fan shouted: “Everyone fought hard. We don’t blame you for losing, but it has been ten games without a win. Someone must take responsibility for this.” Immediately afterward, chants of “Liu Jianye step down” echoed throughout the stadium.

Player Li Zhenquan crossed past security staff and took the microphone. He said: “We can accept responsibility for the loss, but I don’t think Coach Liu should be the only one responsible. I also have responsibility, and everyone has responsibility. We cannot put all the blame on the head coach after a defeat.” Captain Xiang Yuwang also took the microphone: “We are a young team, and our season goal is survival. We played too loosely in the first half of the season. No one wanted things to become like this.” But the fans were no longer willing to listen.

After this defeat, Chongqing Tongliang Long’s league winless streak reached 10 matches. Their last Chinese Super League victory came on June 27, when they beat Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 1-0 at home. Since July, they have collected only four points from 10 league matches with four draws and six losses. At the halfway point, the promoted side had 27 points from seven wins, six draws and three losses, ranking second in the CSL. After 10 winless games, their ranking has fallen to ninth.

In the first half of the season, Tongliang Long used a 5-4-1 defensive counterattack system to produce one of the best defenses in the CSL, conceding only 10 goals in the first 11 rounds. The defensive trio of Ngadeu, Lu Kang and Amadou caused problems for every opponent. However, the turning point came quickly. Defensive midfielder Amadou was sidelined with injury, center-back Ngadeu was suspended after accumulating yellow cards, and the defensive trio was forced to break up. Away against Shandong Taishan, the new back three conceded two headers from Maduruga’s almost identical free-kick routines within four minutes. Even after returning to a five-man defense in the second half of the season, their defensive efficiency has not returned to its previous level.

The problems in attack are even more obvious. Tongliang Long have scored only 26 goals in 25 league rounds this season, the fewest in the CSL, while bottom-placed Wuhan Three Towns have scored 35. Local core player Xiang Yuwang was substituted after only 57 minutes against Shenhua, struggling with ball control, passing errors and movement. Substitute Du Yuezheng hit the post with one header after coming on. It was not that chances were absent; they simply could not convert them.

At the post-match press conference, Liu Jianye made a comment that angered fans. He said: “I apologize to the fans who traveled a long way. The players gave their best. The pressure from recent results is very high. The reason we changed to a back four was to prepare for next year.” The team was ninth at the time, with four league matches remaining, and the head coach said the tactical change was “to prepare for next year” — fans interpreted the statement simply: this year’s matches were no longer important.

During the first-half water break, a detail captured by fans at the stadium drew attention: no Tongliang Long player communicated with Liu Jianye throughout the break, while the Shenhua coach instructed players one by one on the pitch, creating a clear contrast. Some comments suggested that Liu Jianye had “completely lost control of the team.”

In the final four rounds, Chongqing Tongliang Long have two home matches and two away matches. In Round 27 on October 11, they host Shandong Taishan. Taishan have 37 points from 26 rounds with 13 wins, four draws and nine losses, ranking sixth. In Round 28, Tongliang Long travel to face Yunnan Yukun. Yukun have 38 points from 26 rounds with 11 wins, five draws and 10 losses. Both opponents have strong attacking power, and even a draw will be difficult for Tongliang Long.

In Round 29, they host Qingdao Hainiu — the match among the final four that is most likely to bring three points. Hainiu are currently bottom with nine consecutive losses and 14 points. However, in the first half of the season, Tongliang Long’s 1-0 away win over Hainiu in Round 14 came despite Hainiu having the advantage in possession and shots; they simply failed to score. In a relegation battle, Hainiu have every reason to fight. In the final round, Tongliang Long travel to Beijing Guoan. Guoan have 38 points from 26 rounds with 11 wins, 10 draws and five losses, ranking third. In Round 15 of the first half of the season, Guoan came from behind to beat Tongliang Long 3-2 at home.

If they cannot beat Hainiu, a 14-match winless streak is a very real possibility.