On July 21, the 24th round of the Beijing-Tianjin derby in the Chinese Super League was in full swing, and Guoan won a crucial victory by defeating the Jinmen Tigers 2-0 at home. In the second half, Zhang Yuan, who came on as a substitute, not only locked the game with a wonderful shot, but also skillfully assisted Guoan to open the first record. After the game, Zhang Yuan recalled his extraordinary time in an interview with Beijing Youth Daily.
--Looking back at the first meeting between the two teams this season, when someone was red in the 19th minute, what do you think about today's "rebirth against all odds"?
In that game in Tianjin, I was unexpectedly given the chance to start, which I treasured. However, the more I tried to perform, the more my legs seemed to be affected by the psychological pressure. After the red card, I felt guilty and was a burden to the team. Even sitting on the bench, I had no complaints. In the coming days, I have to work hard and believe that my efforts will be rewarded. I am full of joy to score a goal today, which means a lot to me personally, but more importantly, it helps the team to win three valuable points.
--Tears after a goal
The year at National Security has only one word for me - hard. I shed tears because I went through so many tough moments. But I'm glad I made it through. I want to thank all the people who trusted, supported and helped me. This goal is a good starting point in my difficult journey and I didn't celebrate too much because I know there is still a long way to go.
