In the first round of the 2024 Chinese Super League, Zhejiang returned to the Huanglong Sports Center after an absence of 1,583 days and welcomed the challenge of newly promoted Shenzhen New Pengcheng. Soon after the opening match, Zhejiang team was outnumbered by the captain Frank and drew 0:0 with a 10-man squad, a good start for the new season.
Shenzhen Xinpengcheng was authorized by the Chinese Football Association to change its name in February this year, representing Shenzhen for the first time in the Chinese Super League. The team has absorbed strong players such as former Meizhou Hakka foreign aid player Dujalić, injecting fresh blood into the team.
Before the game, Zhejiang head coach Jordy said bluntly, "the new season the strength of the teams have improved, we have watched last night's game, the performance of the teams are not bad, Shenzhen is no exception."
On the day of the match, Zhejiang's four foreigners made their debut, with captain Frank leading the midfield and Lucas holding down the back line. Last season's Chinese Super League top scorer Leonardo and newcomer Owusu were in hot form, and Sun Guowen also made his personal debut. Shenzhen Xinpengcheng also sent four foreigners to the match, with captain Zhu Baojie in the midfield.
Only 2 minutes into the game, Zhejiang had a great attacking opportunity, but Owusu's one-touch shot was parried out by rival goalkeeper Peng Peng. In the 8th minute, Zhejiang's goalkeeper Zhao Bo bravely turned away Shenzhen Xinpengcheng's shot. Sun Guowen was shown a red card in the 20th minute for clearly spoiling a scoring chance, but Zhejiang took a 10-man lead with a goal by Frank in the 26th minute.
In the second half, Shenzhen Xinpengcheng launched a crazy counterattack, but Zhao Bo, the goalkeeper of Zhejiang team, made a series of brilliant saves to keep the city goal. In the end, the game ended with 1:0, Zhejiang team won the first win of the new season.
After the match, Shenzhen New Pengcheng head coach Jesus Tato said, "Although we played one more player, the strength of the opponent is also not to be underestimated, and the opponent's goalkeeper made a number of brilliant saves." Coach Jordy, on the other hand, said, "We controlled the ball, but lacked the means to advance into the opponent's penalty area. The first home win was very important for us, congratulations to the team."
It is worth mentioning that this is the first official game of Zhejiang team returning to its old home field, Huanglong Sports Center, which attracted a lot of fans to come to watch the game, with the number of spectators as high as 25,337. Chen Lin, a fan, said, "I have seen many Zhejiang team games in Huanglong Sports Center, and I am doubly excited about the team's return this time."
In the next round, Zhejiang will continue to host Shanghai Seaport, while Shenzhen Xinpengcheng will face Tianjin Jinmen Tiger. (End)
