The night was low, August 5, Jinan Xingzhou beat Shijiazhuang Kungfu in a penalty shootout with a narrow 1:0 advantage, and the joy of a home victory came to the forefront of their minds after a long time. Undefeated for the second consecutive match, they not only faced the two super favorites, Guangxi Pingguo Ha Rang and Shijiazhuang Kungfu, but also rediscovered the taste of victory under the shadow of three consecutive home defeats previously.
Shijiazhuang Kung Fu, who had been on a brilliant seven-game winning streak, did not have it all their own way against Jinan Xingzhou's stubborn resistance. In the 74th minute, new foreigner Karanga earned Jinan Xingzhou a valuable opportunity with a fine strike in the penalty area.
The win was certainly a huge morale booster for Jinan Xingzhou, who had lost three of their four matches at home and won only one on the road between rounds 12 and 15. However, it's adversity like this that makes their fighting spirit even higher.
For Jinan Xingzhou, who are aiming to make it to the Super League, the 1 win and 3 draws in the first half of the first half of the Central League is undoubtedly a severe test. From the late July addition of three Chinese Super League (CSL) players, Karanga, Bo Jiajun and Qi Tianyu, it's clear that the ambitions of this Chinese League One newcomer are high enough.
Jinan Xingzhou's performance in the second half of the Chinese League of Nations was a sight to behold. In the 16th round, they fought with league leader Guangxi Pingguo to 0:0 at home, avoiding the embarrassment of being "double killed". In the 17th round, they defeated Shijiazhuang Kung Fu by one goal, and harvested a long-lost home victory.
As the game progresses, Jinan Xingzhou's strength is expected to improve further. The addition of Park Jiajun brings stability to the team's defense, while the gradual recovery of Qi Tianyu and Karanga ensures the team's attacking power.
Currently ranked sixth in the Central League, Jinan Xingzhou, and the "super zone" points gap is not large. With 12 rounds left in the league, they still have the possibility of realizing the "triple jump" from Central B, Central A to Central Super League.
However, it all depends on whether the team's new recruits, especially Karanga, a foreigner who has been a dominant force even in the Chinese Super League, can integrate into the team as soon as possible. The unity and cooperation of all Jinan Xingzhou soldiers will also be key. Let's wait and see if Jinan can add another Chinese Super League player in the second half.
