The landscape of the Jiangsu Super League has dramatically changed overnight! Changzhou upset last season's runner-up Nantong with a 3-0 victory, and all three "Taihu fools" teams secured wins.

On April 12 Beijing time, the new season of the Jiangsu Super League kicked off last night. In the highly anticipated opening match, the former underdog Changzhou pulled off a stunning upset, scoring three goals to sweep last season's runner-up Nantong 3-0, unexpectedly claiming victory with a clean sheet—truly incredible. Not only did Changzhou win, but Wuxi and Suzhou also secured victories. This means all three "Taihu fools" teams triumphed in the first round. We can't help but marvel: the landscape of the Jiangsu Super League has transformed overnight!

Everyone knows that last season Changzhou was a soft target, easily dominated, struggling not only to win but even to score goals, finishing early as the league's second-lowest and missing the playoffs. Meanwhile, Nantong was considered the top favorite for the championship last season, advancing to the quarter-finals with an unbeaten league record, only to fall in a penalty shootout to the super dark horse Taizhou, missing the title in a major upset. Now, after a season, both teams' squads have changed drastically. Changzhou's lineup is almost entirely new, with strength significantly boosted, while Nantong suffered a sharp decline in power due to several key players being suspended after a match against Shanghai B.

The result was a one-sided match, with Nantong's defense full of holes and constantly under threat. In the first half, Nantong committed a foul in the penalty area, gifting a penalty. Changzhou used the penalty to first break open the opponent's goal, with Wang Hongyu taking the spot kick. In the second half, Nantong's goalkeeper fumbled the ball with a "butterfingers" mistake, and Ye Wenjie quickly seized the opportunity to score. With a two-goal deficit, Nantong's morale collapsed. Wang Bowen maliciously kicked a player in the box, directly receiving a red card, leaving Nantong with fewer players and worsening their situation, slowly ending any suspense. In the final moments, Changzhou's offensive pressure remained strong. A long pass from the front line sent the ball into the penalty area, leading to a chaotic scramble. Tang Zengqi used his individual skill to snatch the ball from the jaws of danger, stubbornly stealing from Nantong and scoring past the goalkeeper. Thus, Changzhou crushed Nantong 3-0, dominantly completing a clean sheet—truly miraculous!

Suzhou relied on Yang Gaoming's goal to defeat Yangzhou 1-0, securing a cost-effective victory. Wuxi easily beat the underdog Zhenjiang team 3-1. Consequently, all three former "Taihu fools" teams won their matches. It must be said that the Jiangsu Super League landscape has drastically changed this new season, making the championship unpredictable. Let's wait and see! The next match day for the Jiangsu Super League will begin on the 18th—let's look forward to it!

Text/Sports Story Novel