The battle for promotion is decided in the final match! In the last round of the China League One season, Guangzhou Leopards and Tongliang Dragons face off remotely for promotion.

Reported by Wang Wei and Lu Mi. At 2:30 PM on November 8, the 30th and final round of China League One will be held simultaneously. Guangdong Guangzhou Leopards and Chongqing Tongliang Dragons, both tied at 57 points, will compete remotely for the second promotion slot. Tongliang Dragons are in a favorable position, but Guangzhou Leopards have vowed to give their all.

Guangzhou Leopards will host Nantong. Before the match, acting head coach Feng Feng stated: “Nantong is a very strong team and has performed well in the final stages of the league. This game is crucial for us, and we will fight hard to win.”

In the last 10 rounds, Guangzhou Leopards have won 8 and drawn 2, collecting 26 points. Offensively, Rosa, Nikon, and Carlos are in good form, and Xiadlong also scored in the previous match. Nikon’s stats have reached double digits for the first time. In this round, Guangzhou Leopards’ key players are all fit and available.

For Guangzhou Leopards, the priority is to focus on themselves and secure a win. Feng Feng said the final round is about carving a path through: “Besides being fully prepared tactically and technically, we must be mentally ready. The situation on the field can change rapidly. In the last round, we must hold on tight. Of course, we will play freely and give it our all. Most importantly, we must take care of ourselves first.”

Since Feng Feng took over as acting head coach, the team has earned 27 points in 12 matches and caught up in points in the penultimate round. Feng Feng noted that Guangzhou Leopards’ possession rate has steadily increased, their performance level is improving, and the team atmosphere is very positive with mutual trust among players.

At the pre-match press conference, Feng Feng was accompanied by Rosa, who has scored 13 goals this season. Rosa said: “I’ve trained very well this week. We have done targeted training as instructed by the coaching staff. Being in this position is not easy, and with the last match ahead, we will do our best.”

Nantong currently ranks seventh but should not be underestimated, especially their attack. Guangzhou Leopards’ flanks may become the main target of Nantong’s offense. Additionally, Nantong has recorded wins and draws against strong teams away from home this season, showing potential as a disruptor.

For Guangzhou Leopards, the key in the final round is balancing offense and defense. On one hand, the team must score to win; on the other, they need to learn from previous mistakes by strengthening flank defense and set-piece marking to avoid defensive lapses again.

At the November 7 pre-match press conference, Nantong’s head coach Jin Dayi revealed that three foreign players will be absent. “But I hope the 11 domestic players will show their fighting spirit, live up to expectations, and perform well every minute.”

Tongliang Dragons are in a better position; if they win away against Shanghai Jiading Huilong in this match, they will secure the second promotion spot regardless of Guangzhou Leopards’ result against Nantong.

If Tongliang Dragons draw or lose, their fate depends on Guangzhou Leopards’ outcome. But for Tongliang Dragons, who aim for promotion, “controlling their own destiny” is the best scenario. As captain Xiang Yuwang said at the pre-match press conference: “This match is our last game of the season and is very important for us. The whole team is prepared and confident. We will give our all and hope for a good result.”

Tongliang Dragons have 17 wins, 6 draws, and 6 losses. Their promotion advantage could have been bigger, but in the closing stage, their attack has stalled. The last two matches against Shijiazhuang Kungfu and Suzhou Dongwu ended 0-0, with no goals scored, causing fans some anxiety.

To break the scoring drought, head coach Zhang Wailong arranged targeted training focused on improving finishing efficiency. “The team atmosphere is excellent, and every player knows how important this match is. Since we didn’t score in the last two games, this week’s training has been all about preparing to win. I believe tomorrow’s match will be exciting,” said Zhang Wailong. According to pre-match info, the team will leverage the high striker Carrillo as a focal point and use wing breakthroughs to create chances.

Zhang Wailong stated: “Tomorrow’s match is very important for us. Through the team’s efforts, we now have a chance for promotion. Our players are very young, and as head coach, I hope their performance will influence Chinese football, break into Asia, and reach the world stage.”