On April 22, Beijing time, the second round of the Chinese Super League (CSL) ushered in the last match day, with Shanghai Seaport welcoming the challenge of Shenzhen at home. In the first half, Shanghai took the lead with Jiang Guangtai's goal. It is worth noting that, including Jiang Guangtai's goal, the naturalized players in this round of the league achieved 2 goals and 1 assist, ushering in a big breakout. Fans exclaimed: "Is there hope for the national soccer team again?"
Facing Shenzhen, Shanghai Port's starting lineup was exactly the same as the first round, with Jiang Guangtai continuing to start at the center of the defense. In the 24th minute of the game, Shanghai Port completed a match on the right side of the front field. Oscar and Cai Huikang completed a one-on-one and then entered the penalty area. They picked a ball near the baseline and sent it to the back. Shanghai Port attacked the post with a header, but Jiang Guangtai added an open goal in front of the goal to help Shanghai attack for their first goal in their new home.
Eckerson and Fernando, who are naturalized players along with Jiang Guangtai, also performed well in yesterday's game.
In the match against Cangzhou Lions, Eckerson scored his first goal for Chengdu Rongcheng, helping his team earn their first home win of the new season with a 2-1 victory. In the match against Nantong Zhiyun, Fernando came on as a substitute at the start of the second half and delivered an assist to help Fellaini score. Taishan ended up drawing 1-1 at home against Jinyinma, avoiding two consecutive losses to start the new season.
In the first two rounds of the new season, three naturalized players contributed 2 goals and 1 assist, which can be said to have ushered in a wave of outbreaks, which is really a good thing for the national football team. After the loss of the preseason, the naturalized players faded out of the national football lineup for a while, with Ackerson and Fernando leaving the Chinese Super League in droves. Just when everyone thought that the naturalized players would become history, they returned to the Chinese Super League just before the new season started, bringing surprises to the fans at the beginning of the new season.
Currently, only Jiang Guangtai is an absolute mainstay of the national soccer team, with Eckerson and Fernando still needing to compete for international player status. Fernando, in particular, hasn't played an official game since leaving the Chinese Super League, and flunked out in the first round of the league. Although he delivered a key assist in this round, Fernando is not capable of playing a full game yet and needs to work hard to regain his form. Fortunately, the league has just started and the national soccer team has no important matches to play in the short term. Fernando still has enough time to maximize his condition.
Of the naturalized players in the Chinese Super League, only Beijing Guoan's Li Ke is still missing. After overcoming his injuries, Li Ke finally returned to Guoan's roster this season. He also made the bench in this round. Although he didn't get a chance to play, I believe Li Ke's debut in the new season won't be too far away.
If all four naturalized players can slowly return to form in the upcoming league matches, more hope may be added to the national football team's new preseason tour and next year's Asian Cup.
