In the final chapter of the battle at the Yuexiu Mountain Stadium, Guangzhou City ended the season with a 2-1 victory on the 4th, successfully locking up the seventh place, the club's highest honor in the past four seasons. 31-year-old veteran Song Wenjie scored two goals, including a long-distance shot that was like a shooting star across the night sky, which made the spectators sigh with admiration.
In this game, both teams are fighting for the seventh and eighth place, which seems to be insignificant, but the players of both sides meet the challenge with a relaxed mindset, showing an energetic game. In the face of injury problems, both teams made personnel adjustments, Chen Zhizhao started with an injury, replacing the injured Li Tixiang; three U23 players were given the opportunity to play, in addition to goalkeeper Han Pengfei, Wang Huapeng played the whole game, and 18-year-old star Wen Yongjun also came on as a substitute.
Hebei also gave their young players a chance to show off, with 19-year-old Zhang Yu pulling a goal back for his team with a brilliant dribble late in the game.
Guangzhou City head coach Van Garst said after the game that his team played a great game in a relaxed atmosphere, and Song Wenjie's two goals showed his outstanding individual ability. In the 35th minute, Song Wenjie shot directly from outside the penalty area, and the ball arced perfectly and refracted into the net; in the extra time of the half, Guangzhou City counter-attacked, and Song Wenjie scored twice again.
Song was not the team's main striker this season, but he was able to make his debut due to foreigner Thiago's return to his home country to be with his baby, and he turned in a great performance. It was also the second time Song had scored twice in the Chinese Super League since 11 years ago.
Wen Yongjun, the rising star of Guangzhou City this season, scored his first goal in the Chinese Super League against Beijing Guoan. After coming on as a substitute, he scored in the 57th minute, but the VAR video assistant referee ruled that the goal was disallowed for offside. Nevertheless, Wen Yongjun's running and sniffing sensitivity has improved significantly.
Summarizing the season, Van Garst said he was very satisfied with the team's performance. Despite facing many difficulties, the team was united and accomplished the goals set at the beginning of the season. He was pleased with the team's spiritual dimension and spoke highly of the team's unity and fighting spirit.
Van Garst, whose contract expired at the end of last year, revealed that he had a great time in China and has a fondness for the city of Guangzhou. He worked as an assistant coach for the team, which helped him understand the team and the league better. He revealed that he will stay in China and wait for his next job opportunity.
