Henan's Gao Tianyi (front right) and Chengdu Rongcheng's Eckerson fight during the game.
The long-lost Nautical Stadium became noisy again as the renamed Henan made their 2023 Chinese Super League debut on the familiar home turf on the evening of April 16th against a good Chengdu Rongcheng side. After 90 minutes of intense competition, Henan, with nearly 20,000 hometown fans shouting and cheering, fought back from an unfavorable situation in which they lost the first goal, and eventually equalized with a goal by foreigner Adrian, who took advantage of a set-piece opportunity. Finally, the two teams to 1.:1 handshake and each get a point.
In this match, Henan head coach Sarko fielded an attacking combination of Huang Zichang and Chen Keqiang partnering Adrian in the starting lineup. Outside back Schunic led the defensive backline with captain Wang Shangyuan and outside back Pina, as well as inside back Gao Tianyi who echoed back and forth from midfield. The visitors have a lot of gritty players, and the attacking line of Felipe, Romulo, and Ackerson is extremely sharp.
The game began with both teams exchanging attacks and defenses. In the 27th minute, Ickerson knocked the ball across the center of the field, Romulo was blocked by Sunic and shot to the right. Tang Miao got the ball to the right corner of the penalty area, there is a curved ball with the left foot, the ball drilled into the lower left corner of the goal. Chengdu Rongcheng 1:0 lead. Chengdu Rongcheng leading morale, Ickerson had a good chance to score, but unfortunately failed to grasp. At the end of the half, Henan team temporarily 0.:1 behind.
The first half of the game, Henan Luo Xin replaced Li Songyi. 56 minutes, Henan team got a good opportunity to free kick in front of the field, Adrian penalty, left foot directly spin arc ball, the ball flew from the wall above, hit the inside of the left post into the network, Henan team 1:1 equalized. Subsequently, both teams made personnel adjustments to the lineup. 68 minutes, substitute Luo Xin dive breakthrough, but offside in the first goal is invalid. Finally, the two teams 1:1 handshake.
After the game, Salko commented on the game saying, "It was the first game of the season. It was hard to start everything. We played very well. I'm sure the next games will be better and better. The team was a bit nervous in the beginning, probably because it's been a long time since we played at home. In the first half, the team was slow to get into the game and didn't play fluently. After the halftime adjustments, the team kept the intensity of the game in the second half, kept pounding the opponent's defense, and with the support of the home fans, eventually equalized the score and even expected to get three points. I am very satisfied with the content of the game."
On the 21st, Henan continued to play at home, facing Qingdao Hainiu "promoted horse".
In other matches yesterday, Shanghai Shenhua hosted last season's runner-up Shandong Taishan. In the 39th minute, Wu Xi made a pass that accidentally turned into a shot and flew into the net. Finally, Shenhua 1:0 beat Taishan, ushered in the opening red. Shenzhen team at home 2:catch Qingdao sea cow, is also the first victory of the new season. Tianjin Jinmen tiger and Cangzhou lion started to fight. Lokadia broke the goal in the first half, Barton equalized the score in the second half. In the end, the two teams 1.:1 tie.
