Is Coach Choi Kang-hee Overrated? Liaoning Tieren Suffer 0-5 Defeat Against Yunnan Yukun: Where Did They Go Wrong?

Recently, at barbecue stalls in Deyang's Gongnong Village area, several groups of fans had heated arguments over this match. Some believed Liaoning Tieren had effectively given up on their relegation battle because Xu Zhengyuan felt that taking three points against Yunnan Yukun was unrealistic. The opponents had a strong home advantage, along with the rumored naturalized player Oscar, making victory even more difficult for Liaoning Tieren. Was a 5-0 win really just a simple matter of a difference in strength?

Fans familiar with Yunnan Yukun know that they have a coach who has attracted much discussion. In terms of attacking football, Jordi is regarded as one of the best in the Chinese Super League and has also received high praise in world football. Whether coaching Zhejiang or Yunnan Yukun, his teams have maintained an aggressive attacking approach, although their defense had previously been a weakness. In this match, they not only showed attacking quality but also defensive strength. How did they achieve that?

In the 31st minute of the first half, Bunyamin, a young player developed by Guangzhou Evergrande, crossed from the right, and Kleber scored from close range to open the scoring. This was another contribution from him to the team's attack over several consecutive matches. Previously, some people questioned whether signing such a young player was worthwhile, but those doubts now appear less convincing. In the 40th minute, Jonica provided an assist from a set piece, and the rumored naturalized player Oscar scored another header. He had remained near the top of the Chinese Super League scoring chart for a long time, and discussions over whether he should be naturalized have continued. At halftime, Yunnan Yukun led Liaoning Tieren 2-0. Whether a comeback would happen in the second half remained uncertain.

After the break, both teams made adjustments. In the 64th minute, Oscar crossed from the left and Kleber scored with a header to complete his brace, breaking through Liaoning Tieren's defense again. In the 77th minute, Bunyamin won the ball aggressively in the attacking area and scored with a low shot. In the third minute of stoppage time, Kleber finished from close range to complete his hat-trick. Yunnan Yukun eventually defeated Liaoning Tieren 5-0, ending their two-match winless run while extending Liaoning Tieren's winless streak to five matches.

One of the most impressive performances in this match came from 18-year-old Bunyamin. He not only assisted the opening goal but also scored a one-on-one goal in the 77th minute after actively pressing in the attacking area, recording a goal and an assist. Many Deyang fans said after the match that it is now rare to see young players in the Chinese Super League who are willing to attack and compete so aggressively. While many players of the same age are still waiting for opportunities, why this young player from the Evergrande Football School can perform so calmly in the CSL has become a topic of discussion.

Huang Qiang Sports Commentary believes that when Liaoning Tieren visited Yunnan Yukun, many people thought earning a draw or a point would already be a success. However, the team not only lost but suffered a heavy defeat. This was unexpected for Liaoning Tieren and also unexpected for Xu Zhengyuan. Where did the problems come from?

Liaoning Tieren repeatedly conceded opportunities from the back line in this match, showing major problems in their central and defensive areas. Some believe Yunnan Yukun's attacking power was too strong, with Golden Boot winner Kleber and a high-level scorer like Oscar. Whether Oscar should be naturalized has also remained a topic among fans. Some believe that if he were naturalized, the national team's strength could improve. However, no further action has been taken so far, which has caused frustration among some supporters.

Liaoning Tieren are now winless in five matches, with their relegation pressure increasing further. Meanwhile, Yunnan Yukun have strengthened their position in the race for an AFC Champions League qualification spot with this big win. Will more matches with such large scorelines appear in the remaining CSL schedule? Will previously underrated young players bring more surprises? What has happened to Liaoning Tieren? How should Xu Zhengyuan's coaching performance be evaluated? Can Yunnan Yukun compete for this year's CSL title? These questions have become topics among fans.

This article is an original piece by Huang Qiang Sports Commentary. The information and image materials come from the internet. If there are any issues, please contact the author for removal.