After winning their first match in the group stage of the AFC Champions League, Taishan will face Dalian People twice in the league and the FA Cup. Many fans teased that Taishan might as well take advantage of their victory and send a substitute lineup in these two matches as a courtesy to Dalian. However, in the semi-final of the FA Cup, Dalian surprisingly "let the water out", helping Taishan to pass through with ease, and reserving energy for their battle with Wuhan Sanzhen three days later.
But that's probably too optimistic. Taishan is still in the running to win the Super League, and they will not take any game lightly. They will have to go all out to overtake Harbor and win the league title. As for the old grudge with Dalian, Taishan won't take it lightly, after all, Cui Kangxi has a long history with Dalian.
Choi Kang-hee coached the Dalian people but left halfway through the season due to discord with the foreigners. This time, he has returned to the Chinese Super League, and he has not been soft on Dalian every time he has faced them. This time again against the old master, Cui Kangxi will go all out, and strive to the league and the FA Cup in two consecutive cities, to help Taishan team in the season to realize the double title of the Chinese Super League.
With this, Dalian's relegation prospects are getting more and more worrying. In the remaining six rounds of the league, in addition to Taishan, Dalian will have to face Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Beijing Guoan, Wuhan Sanzhen, Qingdao Hainiu and Shanghai Port. Except for Qingdao Hainiu, the strength of the other four teams is higher than Dalian, so I'm afraid it's difficult for Dalian to make any progress in these four matches.
Qingdao Manatees, as the direct rivals of Dalian People, will surely go all out to defeat Dalian People at home and gain the precious three points to complete the relegation task. It seems that Dalian's road to relegation this season is only a theoretical possibility...
