Three consecutive wins after a complete transformation, Dalian Yingbo presents a perfect birthday gift to Li Guoxu.

Special contribution/Ding Xu With goals from Liao Jintao, Achim Peng, and Mao Weijie, Dalian Yingbo Haifa defeated Zhejiang team 3-0 at Suoyuwan, swiftly rebounding after two initial losses to secure three consecutive wins. Despite being plagued by injuries and having only three foreign players available, Yingbo achieved their largest margin victory in the Chinese Super League with an ultra-low possession rate of 28%, perfectly celebrating coach Li Guoxu's 48th birthday.

After defeating Haigang at home, Yingbo used the same lineup to "top" Taishan. However, compared to the previous two matches, Yingbo faced a "player shortage" against Zhejiang: foreign players Malalei and Alimi were both injured and could only watch from the sidelines, while Zhu Pengyu, Huang Shan, Song Yue, and Cao Haiqing were also absent due to injuries. This marked the first time this season that Yingbo could not fill a full 23-player roster.

While maintaining the 4231 formation, Li Guoxu pushed Achim Peng to the forward line, Feng Jing made his first start at Suoyuwan as left midfielder, captain Lu Peng returned to the starting lineup after three rounds, and Li Ang replaced Bi Jinhao. Despite severe personnel shortages, Yingbo delivered a resounding victory at home. "Sometimes I wonder if all our Dalian team players are warriors!" Li Guoxu remarked emotionally after the match.

Returning to the Dalian-Zhejiang match, Yingbo initiated attacks early. In the 13th minute, Feng Jing's sliding shot from the left side of the penalty spot hit the crossbar. Yingbo withstanded Zhejiang's high-intensity pressing, with Huang Zihao deflecting Fang Hao's long-range shot. In the 27th minute, Achim Peng's narrow-angle shot from the left side of the penalty area was saved by Zhao Bo, and Liao Jintao scored from the follow-up at the goalmouth, giving Yingbo a 1-0 lead. This was Liao Jintao's first goal since joining Yingbo, and the team's vice-captain dedicated this goal to his wife who was watching live. After the match, Liao Jintao modestly said, "The goal is the result of the whole team's effort, thanks to the coaching staff and teammates."

In the 4th minute of stoppage time in the first half, Zhejiang's consecutive attacks nearly equalized, with Sun Guowen's narrow-angle shot from the left side of the penalty area being blocked out by Huang Zihao. Subsequently, Liu Haofan scored with a side-hook shot during a corner attack, but Qiu Zhaojun, officiating his first Chinese Super League match as the main referee, ruled Liu Haofan's foul prior to the goal, invalidating it.

After the halftime break, Yingbo's攻势如潮, with Stanciu and Achim Peng continuously threatening the opponent's goal. In the 62nd minute, Stanciu delivered a precise through pass from midfield, Achim Peng sprinted forward to the left side of the penalty area and pushed the shot into the far corner, giving Yingbo a 2-0 lead. Achim Peng has scored 3 goals in 5 rounds, tying with Malalei as the team's top scorer.

Just 4 minutes later, substitute Luo Jing organized an attack from midfield, Mao Weijie advanced on the left to the left side of the penalty area, evaded Liu Haofan, and shot into the far corner, making it 3-0. In the 69th minute, Yingbo had another chance to extend the lead, but Achim Peng's one-on-one shot hit the left post.

In the final stages of the match, Li Guoxu made consecutive substitutions to give more young players锻炼机会. Xiao Lirong and Zhang Huachen made their first appearances for Yingbo. Xiao Lirong had previously only been included in the roster against Haigang without playing, and played two matches for Yingbo B team in the Chinese Second League. Li Guoxu was very satisfied with Xiao Lirong's Chinese Super League debut and expects this 21-year-old youngster to make more contributions.

During the post-match acknowledgment环节, all Yingbo players and staff once again sang "Shalala" with Dalian fans.

April 11th was Li Guoxu's 48th birthday. Yingbo players提前庆生 with a perfect victory and three consecutive wins, and Dalian fans continuously shouted after the match: "Awesome, Li Guoxu!" Suoyuwan echoed with birthday songs... The温馨场面 reappeared at the post-match press conference, where Dalian知名记者 Zhao Jian代表 all present journalists向 Li Guoxu送去生日祝福.

"Thanks to our players. Although the score was 3-0, we faced many difficulties during preparation... The players' performance deserved the victory. After two consecutive wins, the players wanted three consecutive wins even more. They also knew the challenges of this match, but through their tackling, running, and effectively attacking the opponent's weaknesses, they ultimately secured this win." After the match, Li Guoxu was心情愉悦.

Technical statistics show that Yingbo was disadvantaged in possession rate, shots, passes, successful passes, corners, and多项数据. Their possession rate was only 28%, a season low (32% against Haigang, 29.4% against Taishan), yet they achieved their largest margin victory in two years of the Chinese Super League. In Li Guoxu's view, Zhejiang is a capable team, ranking second in possession rate in the entire Chinese Super League,仅次于 Haigang, but Yingbo utilized their speed advantage well.

In fact, Yingbo's average possession rate is 35.3%, the lowest in the entire Chinese Super League, but winning is most important; Li Guoxu values efficiency more.

The Dalian-Zhejiang match attracted 58,229 fans to Suoyuwan Football Stadium. Statistics indicate this number ranks 19th in Chinese Super League history and currently 3rd among all Chinese football matches this year. "Thanks to the fans, who came to watch after work, boosting our confidence," said Li Guoxu. Zhejiang player Sun Guowen, returning to play in his hometown, also thanked the fans, "Even on a non-weekend match, so many fans came to the现场."

Match MVP Mao Weijie said that Suoyuwan's new turf favored Yingbo's performance, "Very happy to help the team win, dedicating the goal to the team, family, and fans." Mao Weijie has played three consecutive matches in the new left-back position, performing exceptionally well. He stated that compared to his familiar midfield position, playing left-back is not unfamiliar, "The coaching staff thoroughly analyzed the对手 and deployed relevant tactics for me. Thanks to teammates' help, allowing me to quickly adapt to the new position. Playing multiple positions also helps me进步 quickly."

Yingbo secured three consecutive wins after two initial losses. Having played先赛 in round 5,他们积9分 temporarily跃居积分榜次席, also Yingbo's highest ranking in nearly two years. Next Saturday, Yingbo will continue at home, facing Henan team. "Next, we will continue磨合技战术 under the coaching staff's guidance to maintain the current advantage," said Mao Weijie.