In the second phase of the Chinese Super League, the second stage of the championship group of the final game on January 4, Shenzhen team in Guangzhou University City Center Stadium to 0-1 against the rival Beijing Guoan team, regret to the league's sixth place in the results of the season to draw a close.
Following the victory in the first match, Shenzhen's acting manager Zhang Xiaorui made a four-player rotation in this match, with two foreigners, Jintro and Caldeco, placed on the bench, Zheng Dalun and Mi Haolun replaced by Jiang Zhipeng and Ye Lijiang, while the experienced Gao Lin made his debut in the match.
On the eve of the game, all the players of the Shenzhen team held up the banner "Go Xi'an, Chang'an Yong'an" to cheer for the people of Xi'an's anti-epidemic action, which was a warm and touching scene.
Despite the Shenzhen team's increased reinforcements during the transfer window, they ultimately failed to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League. The attacking group with Caldecott, Quintero and Achimpen as the core is not bad, but the mistakes on the defensive end became the gap between Shenzhen and the strongest teams. In the early part of the game, SZF's backline made a series of mistakes, and Zhou Xin's foul in the second minute nearly allowed Guoan striker Cao Yongjing to break through the goal.
However, only eight minutes later, the Shenzhen football defense once again made a mistake, four defenders failed to effectively limit Guoan foreign aid Anderson Silva, resulting in Cao Yongjing was able to complete self-redemption. In the second half, Shenzhen team counterattacked with all their might, and although they dominated the field, they were never able to equalize the score. Yu Dabao was close to scoring an own goal, and Zhang Yuan and Sun Ke also failed to capitalize on header chances.
Acting head coach Zhang Xiurui took the blame after the match, but expressed his satisfaction with the team's mental state and thanked the fans for their support. He said that despite the club's seasonal goals, a sixth-place finish is still acceptable in such a difficult period. For the replacement of the two foreign aid, Zhang Xiurui explained that Caldecott was not feeling well due to gastroenteritis, and Jintero was not able to play due to poor physical condition.
Regarding the rumor that Li Zhangsu might take over Shenzhen Football, Zhang Xiurui did not respond directly, but said, "A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier, and I thank the club for giving me the opportunity to show myself. I am very familiar with the team and the club's environment, and in the future I am confident to lead the team to continue to struggle in the league, and I will fully support the club's work, whether or not I am the head coach."
