Wang Jiyuan

wangjiyuan_2013@outlook.com

IN the opening match of the second half of the 2019 Chinese Super League (CSL), Shenzhen FC earned a precious point after John Mary scored a last-minute goal to draw 1-1 at Hebei FC on Sunday.

Unlike the first few matches this season, when Shenzhen was able to employ a solid defense while launching effective counterattacks, Shenzhen was outperformed for most of the match Sunday.

Their offensive momentum faded after the first 15 minutes, and Harold Preciado and right winger Zhang Yuan were both injured. During the first half, the home team dominated with 64 percent of possession. Shenzhen goalkeeper Guo Wei blocked several excellent attempts.

During the second half, Shenzhen’s coach Juan Lopez Caro sent on Ole Selnaes to take over the midfield, replacing the injured Preciado. Yet, Shenzhen saw little improvement in possession, and they finally conceded a goal in the 61st minute to Dong Xuesheng.

As time passed, many of the Shenzhen players ran out of energy, and coach Caro wasn’t able to make a real tactical change due to his limited choices of substitutes, but Hebei also wasted a few great chances.

In the 93rd minute, Yeljan Shinar, a Shenzhen winger of Kazakh ethnic origin, sent the ball high into the box in despair, which was blocked and later headed back to Mary by Jin Qiang. Mary didn’t attempt a header or pass the ball again, but instead took the ball from his body and turned to launch a brilliant shot right into the left corner of the net. His shot, the only on-target attempt by Shenzhen the entire game, secured a precious point.

This point is vital.

According to statistics from the past four years, a CSL team usually needs at least 30 to 34 points to escape relegation. For Shenzhen, which has taken only 13 points in 16 matches, the battle is far from over.