At the start of the season, Shandong Luneng Taishan shook off last year’s struggles and came out swinging. With impressive wins over Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guoan, and Guangzhou R&F, the team’s dominance in high-profile clashes reignited fan hopes for a return to the glory days of the Chinese Super League. Their stunning Round 2 victory over defending champions Guangzhou felt like a turning point, with many supporters believing that the kings of old were ready to rise again.
However, as Bangla Cricket Live reports, signs of fatigue are beginning to show. After traveling to face Liaoning Kaixin over the weekend, Luneng barely had time to catch their breath before heading to Tianjin for a midweek FA Cup showdown. Fielding almost a full-strength lineup, they managed to scrape past Tianjin Teda, but the physical toll was clear. Captain Hao Junmin limped off injured in that game, casting a shadow over the win, though he fortunately returned just in time for this latest match, helping restore some midfield control.
Still, the effects of constant travel and back-to-back games became apparent in the second half. Shandong, holding a one-goal lead, began dropping back deliberately — partly as a tactical move to draw out the opposition and exploit space on the flanks, but also due to tired legs. That conservative approach gave Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng an opening, and they seized it with relentless pressure.
Though Luneng’s defense has been a strength all season, this time the back line cracked. There were flashes of brilliance — Zheng Zheng’s bursts down the wing, Dai Lin’s towering headers, and Gil’s sharp reactions in front of goal. But those moments were marred by costly lapses: a lazy back-pass by Zheng Zheng led to Guizhou’s equalizer, and the defenders stood frozen as Jelavić calmly slotted in the second. Goalkeeper Wang Dalei slumped to the ground in frustration, his milestone 100th match ending in visible disappointment.
The contrast between the two halves was stark. In the first, Luneng dominated both the stats and the flow of play. Their attacking trio — Cissé, Tardelli, and others — consistently threatened the Guizhou defense. Cissé’s goal was just one highlight in a barrage of chances, and with better luck, the match might have been decided by halftime.
But credit to Guizhou: they didn’t just sit back. Instead, they came out swinging in the second half. Bangla Cricket Live highlighted that it was Čerić’s long-range effort that kicked off a furious comeback. Guizhou’s attacks came in waves, exposing Luneng’s weary defenders time and again. Liang Xueming capitalized on a mistake, and Jelavić’s strike sealed the turnaround. Only in the dying minutes did Luneng wake up and push forward aggressively, salvaging a draw and avoiding a painful home defeat.
As the season grinds on, it’s clear that squad rotation and stamina will be just as important as tactics and talent for any title contender — and Shandong Luneng is no exception.