Reporter Lu Mi reports On the afternoon of November 1st, in the penultimate round of the 2025 China League One, a heavy sense of anxiety hung over Tongliang Dragon Stadium. When the final whistle sounded, the 0-0 draw between Chongqing Tongliang Dragon and Suzhou Dongwu silenced the home crowd, who had aimed to lock in promotion early. With 22 shots but only 6 on target and 10 corners yielding no results, Zhang Wailong’s offensive system went cold in two consecutive key matches. This draw not only pushed the promotion suspense to the last round but also exposed persistent offensive issues since the Korean coach took charge. Facing a strong competitor Guangzhou Leopard in the final round, Tongliang Dragon has already used up their "one draw margin," meaning only a win against Shanghai Jiading Huilong can secure promotion control.

Two Consecutive Draws: Impressive Stats but Inefficient Execution

In the home match against Suzhou Dongwu, Tongliang Dragon was prepared for a tough challenge, as the mid-table Dongwu is not an easy opponent to overcome. Statistically, Chongqing Tongliang Dragon should have dominated the game; despite equal possession at 50%, they significantly outnumbered their opponent in total attacks and dangerous attacks, with a commanding 22 to 6 shots ratio. However, behind these impressive numbers lay poor efficiency, with a low 27% shot accuracy well below normal levels, and several attackers faltering under pressure in critical moments.

Foreign player Leonardo had multiple half-clear chances inside the box but hesitated on finishing, missing good opportunities, reminiscent of the 0-3 defeat to Yanbian Longding when Zhang Wailong first took over, where the team had 7 off-target shots. Meanwhile, domestic striker Wang Xiangyu remained scoreless for two consecutive matches. As the game progressed, Dongwu’s defense became increasingly comfortable, with goalkeeper Liu Yugao making low saves repeatedly denying Tongliang Dragon’s shots.

Offensive problems have plagued Tongliang Dragon throughout this season. Under former coach Salvador, the team often scored high but relied on aggressive offense that neglected defense, which ultimately led to Salvador’s dismissal. Since Zhang Wailong took over, defense was emphasized first, and Huang Xiyang was reintroduced to enhance midfield connections. However, recent matches have revealed even more severe inefficiency in attack. In the last five games, Tongliang Dragon scored only six goals, including one own goal, two set-piece goals, two world-class strikes, and one deflected shot — zero goals from organized positional play.

Tongliang Dragon’s back-to-back 0-0 draws against Shijiazhuang Kungfu and Suzhou Dongwu in crucial promotion-stage home matches have frustrated fans. The poor results stem from a serious disconnect between Zhang Wailong’s “seven-second attack” theory and the current team situation. Known for fast counterattacks, the Korean coach emphasizes the tactical core of “from interception to shot within seven seconds.” Though this strategy led to a famous last-minute victory over Guangzhou Evergrande in 2016 with Chongqing Lifan, it has failed to take root in the current Tongliang Dragon squad. The root cause is a broken counterattack chain, as the current roster and organizational structure are still built around Salvador’s tactical core, with players like Carrillo and Leonardo unable to fulfill Zhang’s tactical demands.

The mismatch between personnel and tactical requirements worsens Tongliang Dragon’s offensive struggles. Zhang Wailong’s favored “one tall, one fast” combination requires a central striker to hold up the ball and wingers to penetrate with speed, but foreign striker Carrillo is mostly a substitute. Even when he was brought on late against Shijiazhuang Kungfu, the attack did not improve; starting against Suzhou Dongwu, he still failed to score. Winger Leonardo, despite his pace, lacks precise crossing after breakthroughs, evident from only two threatening shots created from 10 corners. More importantly, players still do not fully understand Coach Long’s tactics. Against Dongwu’s low defensive block, attackers either tried to dribble alone or passed mechanically without variation, showing no tactical discipline. This lack of cohesion has existed since Zhang Wailong’s early days, when he took charge less than a week before facing Yanbian Longding, and the team’s chaotic attack and defense then share the same roots as the current offensive drought.

Under promotion pressure, players’ mental fluctuations have amplified tactical flaws. In the match against Suzhou Dongwu, several players showed technical distortions at critical moments, directly reflecting how pressure affected their performance.

The Decisive Battle in Shanghai: Only One Path Up the Mountain

Actually, during the previous round’s draw against Shijiazhuang Kungfu, Tongliang Dragon was already tense. Fortunately, their rival Guangzhou Leopard also drew, keeping promotion control in Tongliang Dragon’s hands and preserving their “one draw margin.” Ideally, Tongliang Dragon planned to beat Suzhou Dongwu at home and then draw away against Shanghai Jiading in the final round to secure promotion. However, that “golden draw” was used up in the penultimate round.

With two consecutive home draws, Chongqing Tongliang Dragon and Guangzhou Leopard are currently tied at 57 points. Tongliang Dragon holds a slight advantage due to head-to-head results (0-1 loss at home, 5-1 win away) and a 0.5-point edge. The final round’s away match against Shanghai Jiading Huilong becomes a do-or-die battle: a win guarantees promotion, while a draw or loss leaves their fate dependent on Guangzhou Leopard’s result. The challenge is clear — although Shanghai Jiading has no relegation or promotion pressure, as their last home game of the season, they will likely fight for pride. Their dense defensive system resembles Suzhou Dongwu’s, so Tongliang Dragon must prepare for a tough challenge.

Regarding Shanghai Jiading’s tactical style, Zhang Wailong must first solve the problem of offensive efficiency. Reactivating Leonardo’s form is key, requiring psychological support and specialized training to rebuild his confidence. For Wang Xiangyu, reducing mental pressure is necessary. Defensively, the team must avoid repeating mistakes from the Yanbian match, ensuring coordination and focus in the central defense and midfield to prevent costly errors that could ruin a good opportunity.

For Chongqing football, this promotion showdown carries special significance. Since Zhang Wailong led Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic to a miracle in 2021 and now returns to manage Chongqing again, the perfect blend of “seven-second attack” and “Chongqing spirit” remains fans’ hope. Despite ongoing cohesion issues, Tongliang Dragon still holds the initiative; solving the finishing problem makes winning away at Shanghai Jiading achievable. This battle is not only a contest of points but another test of Chongqing football’s enduring spirit.