Changchun Yatai and Cangzhou Xionglion are the opponents in the last match of the 23rd round of the Chinese Super League. Both teams are in the middle of the table and are very close in the standings. Yatai has 8 wins, 7 draws, 7 losses and 31 points, ranking 9th, while Cangzhou Lions have 8 wins, 6 draws, 8 losses and 30 points, ranking 10th. There is only one point difference between the two teams and at least 12 points between them and the relegation zone, so they can basically stay in the relegation without any worries. However, Yatai beat Shucheng in the last round with an unexpected win, and their morale is high, aiming to win consecutively. Cangzhou Lions, on the other hand, were beaten by Taishan in the last round by 4 goals, but they have bounced back.
In the starting lineup, Ateneo used a 541 formation. Goalkeeper Wu Yak, Cui Qi, Ox and Yi Teng shared the three center backs. Wang Jinxian and Yan Zhiyu formed the left and right sides. Zui, Liao Chengjian, Sergio and Tan Long formed the four midfielders. An arrow from Cheng Changcheng suddenly appeared. Cangzhou Lions also had a 541 formation, with Shao Pu-liang guarding the city and a backline of Zhao Hongliu, Liu Yang, Škoric, Yang Yun and Sun Qinhan from left to right, with Wang Peng and Lin Chuangyi partnering the double back, and Owusu and Oscar double attacking forwards, turning into shadow strikers at all times, with Locadia up front.
The game started with both sides playing stiffly, both adopting the strategy of stabilizing their defense, so they didn't achieve anything in the first 15 minutes on their respective lines. It wasn't until the 20th minute that the Yatai midfield suddenly accelerated. Sergio forced a breakthrough after a teammate's pass, stumbled through the penalty area, and fired a low right-footed shot to the far corner. Shao Pu-liang tried his best to save, but he had no choice but to look at the ball and sigh. With Yatai leading by a goal, the trailing Cangzhou Lions quickly counterattacked. However, the ability of the front players to make mistakes and seize opportunities was limited.
The Cangzhou Lions were the first to change their position after the change of sides to fight again. Oscar and Osuu were positioned premise a three forward attacking group with Locadia to great effect. In frequent progress, Cangzhou Lions got a corner kick in the 57th minute and Oscar scored in front of the goal to equalize. It was clear that Ateneo was not going to be able to take it. Three minutes after conceding the goal, 35-year-old international Tan Long took his teammates and a long pass from the back into the box and fired hard into the far corner to score. Yatai 2-1 lead again, and two minutes later, he was still the veteran Tan Long, taking a teammate diagonally and shooting hard with his left foot in the penalty area, and then in the next city to complete the two plums, while helping Yatai get a two-goal advantage.
In the end, Yatai gave their opponents a shutout in just three minutes, easily beating Cangzhou Lions 3-1 to secure their second consecutive victory and improve to 34 points, surpassing Jinmen Tigers to move up to 8th place. The double over Cangzhou Lions was also achieved as Yatai won 4-2 on the road in the first round of the tournament. Cangzhou Lions, on the other hand, suffered their second consecutive loss and have now lost nine matches this season to remain in 10th place.
