Special contribution / Chen Tao On January 29, a penalty from the Chinese Football Association shook the Chinese football world. Nine Chinese Super League clubs and four China League One clubs were penalized with point deductions. Notably, Changchun Yatai, recently relegated from the Super League to League One, was docked 4 points, Meizhou Hakka received a 3-point penalty, and two other strong teams, Suzhou Dongwu and Ningbo, were also docked 3 points each. This punishment not only reshaped the competitive landscape of League One but also delivered a “New Year’s gift” to Yanbian Longding, who narrowly missed promotion last season. At last season’s review meeting, Yanbian Longding’s club chairman Zhang Wenji stated that the team’s goal for the new season is to secure a top-four finish and make a full push for promotion.

The 2026 League One season is scheduled to officially start on March 14. For Yanbian Longding, who has adopted a “home dragon” strategy, upgraded their foreign player core, and whose tactical system is becoming increasingly mature, this seems to be the best window in the club’s history to challenge for promotion to the Super League. However, they still face difficulties such as insufficient funds, limited budget, and average away performance.

Promotion chances increased by at least 30%?

Changchun Yatai and Meizhou Hakka, two teams with strong promotion potential, will start the new season with -4 and -3 points respectively. Historically, the battle for promotion spots in League One is fiercely competitive, often decided by the smallest margins. Now, before the league even begins, Yanbian Longding has taken a step ahead of these strong rivals. This point gap has become Yanbian Longding’s “points advantage.” Some analysts even believe: “The strength difference among promotion contenders is minimal, and a 3-4 point penalty can alter the entire season’s trajectory. Yanbian Longding had the strongest home performance last season, and with their opponents’ point deductions, their promotion probability has increased by at least 30%.”

However, the season is long, and Yanbian Longding only holds an initial advantage, not a decisive one. This is well understood by everyone at Yanbian Longding. When the team was training in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and learned about the CFA’s penalties, the coaching staff also believed it only provided an opportunity and would not determine the entire season’s outcome.

Away performance must improve

Looking back at the 2025 season, Yanbian Longding was arguably the most dramatic team in League One. Under the guidance of Korean head coach Lee Ki-hyung, Yanbian Longding showed terrifying home dominance: in 15 home matches, they achieved 13 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 31 goals and conceding 7, earning 40 points, the highest home points efficiency in League One. Throughout the season, Yanbian Longding demonstrated strong balance in offense and defense — conceding only 25 goals, the fewest in the league, even fewer than the two teams that successfully promoted; their high pressing success rate reached 72%; and set-piece goals accounted for 30%. The Yanji City National Fitness Center Stadium truly became a “fortress” in League One.

However, poor away results ultimately dashed the team’s promotion hopes. In the 2025 season, Yanbian Longding won only 3, drew 6, and lost 6 in 15 away matches, accumulating just 15 points. Their away points rate sharply contrasted with their home strength. Lee Ki-hyung frankly stated in the season review: “Away performance is our fatal weakness. Players’ adaptability and tactical execution in unfamiliar environments have clearly declined. This is the core issue we need to address during the off-season.”

No major squad changes yet

During preparations for the 2026 season, Yanbian Longding has not made any drastic signings but has focused on “consolidating the core, strengthening weaknesses, and improving away stability.” After abandoning the previously signed Japanese midfielder Bonmoto Yoshihiro, the club has concentrated recruitment efforts on upgrading the forward line and deepening the domestic squad.

Regarding foreign players, the team first successfully renewed contracts with last season’s key foreign players Forbes and Domingos. Forbes, as the forward pivot, not only has excellent finishing ability but also activates the midfield and front with his back-to-goal play and link-up runs. He scored 12 goals and provided 5 assists last season, being the team’s top scorer. Domingos is the midfield pivot for transition between offense and defense, a crucial weapon in the team’s counterattack tactics, providing 8 assists last season.

Building on renewing these two core foreign players, Yanbian Longding successfully signed Brazilian forward Giovanni. The 28-year-old striker is the biggest foreign signing in this winter transfer window. Giovanni is not new to League One; in the 2024 season with Guangxi Pingguo, he appeared 31 times, scored 15 goals, and assisted 3. His speed, dribbling strength, and knack for exploiting counterattack chances fit perfectly with Lee Ki-hyung’s tactical system. However, after returning to Brazil from China, his training and match condition have been average. Although he has arrived in Chiang Mai to join the team, the club has not yet officially announced his signing. Insiders say he has ability but needs some time to regain form.

On the domestic front, 24-year-old Naxi defender Duan Dezhi joined on loan; 1.90m tall forward Sun Xipeng, trained at Shanghai Shenhua’s youth academy, brings aerial advantage, serving as a front pivot and strengthening set-piece offense and defense. Meanwhile, Yanbian Longding renewed contracts with five key players including Jin Taiyan, Park Se-ho, Lawlies, and Huang Zhenfei. Last season’s main center-back Xu Jizu, main left-back Li Long, and substitute midfielder Li Qiang left the team, causing some impact on the squad.

Regarding the new season, Lee Ki-hyung clearly stated: “Our primary goal is to solve the problem of poor away points collection. Through tactical adjustments and mental training, we want the team to perform at 80% of their home level even on the road. The new squad configuration gives us confidence to achieve this goal.”

Yanbian Longding earned 55 points last season but failed to promote largely because they only gained 15 points away. To improve away points rate, players must overcome psychological barriers, and Lee Ki-hyung needs to adjust tactics. Compared to the aggressive 3-4-3 formation used at home, adopting a more pragmatic 4-5-1 defensive counterattack formation away might be a better choice.