Liaoning Iron Man secures three consecutive wins! Xu Zhengyuan energizes the entire team and wins over the fans

Special correspondent Shen Jun reports After crushing Zhejiang Green City 5-0 on the road in the last CSL match, Liaoning Iron Man beat the reigning champion Shanghai Port 3-2 at home on May 29 night, extending their winning streak to three. Having been stuck in a six-game losing streak and eight matches without a win, the team has now climbed out of their low point by defeating tough rivals in exciting turnaround victories. In particular, the once-criticized foreign player Renfinio and the struggling Chinese League One golden boot Mbenza have consistently proven themselves since Xu Zhengyuan took over.

This match was a classic CSL offensive and defensive battle, full of twists and turns. Facing the formidable defending champion Shanghai Port, Liaoning Iron Man showed no fear, displaying intense competitiveness and a strong desire to win from the start. They applied relentless high pressure in midfield and attacked the Port defense repeatedly. In the 9th minute, they broke the deadlock when Li Tixiang delivered a precise assist and Bang Benyi Yui unleashed a powerful long-range shot that rocketed into the net, giving Iron Man an early lead and boosting the team's confidence. Bang Benyi Yui was active throughout, orchestrating attacks and breaking through on the flanks, anchoring the midfield and forward line with his solid performance.

Mbenza, who had been in hot form, continued his excellent play. Although a first-half goal was disallowed for offside, he stayed composed, maintaining energetic movement and aggressive challenges. In the 70th minute, Renfinio provided a clever assist, and Mbenza calmly finished to double the lead. This marked his third consecutive game with a goal, totaling six in his last three matches, making him the team's key scoring weapon during the winning streak.

The biggest surprise of the match was Renfinio, who had been labeled a "flop" by fans and faced heavy criticism. Earlier in the season, he underperformed, struggled with finishing, and had little presence on the pitch, often becoming a scapegoat for losses amid widespread doubts.

But in this game, Renfinio completely transformed, delivering on his foreign player potential. In the second half, he not only set up Mbenza's goal with a key assist but also shone in the 85th minute, seizing an opportunity outside the box and smashing a stunning unstoppable shot that curled into the top corner, beating goalkeeper Yan Junling and sealing the victory. His all-around performance of one assist and one goal made him the biggest contributor to the win.

However, after scoring, Renfinio became overly emotional and took off his shirt in celebration, earning a second yellow card and subsequent red card. His excessive joy put Liaoning Iron Man, who were leading, at a disadvantage, forcing the ten-man team to face a fierce Port comeback. The tension made fans' hearts race as the team held on desperately. Fortunately, the entire squad united in stubborn defense, withstanding the opponent's onslaught to maintain the 3-2 score until the final whistle.

From a low point of six losses and eight winless matches to now defeating strong opponents for three straight victories, Liaoning Iron Man's recent resurgence is no accident—it's the inevitable result of tactical adjustments, mental transformation, and improved discipline. Facing the league's defending champion, the team displayed a completely different spirit and level of play, making this victory well-deserved.

A complete overhaul in tactical philosophy was the key to the team's turnaround. Before the match, head coach Xu Zhengyuan publicly stated that the team's only goal was to win, urging everyone to be brave and unafraid of strong rivals. This was no empty talk: throughout the game, Liaoning Iron Man perfectly executed the coach's strategy, abandoning their previous conservative and passive style. They pressed high, attacked proactively, and applied intense, sustained man-marking in midfield, disrupting Shanghai Port's passing rhythm and attacking system. Against a defending champion with superior quality, roster, and reputation, the Iron Man players showed no hesitation, fighting for every ball and every duel, completely overwhelming their opponents in both attack and defense, and reversing their previous timid approach.

The transformation in the team's mentality and cohesion was a crucial pillar for escaping the slump. Early in the season, the team was mired in a losing streak, with anxious players lacking confidence, disjointed transitions, frequent errors, and a vicious cycle of losing and panic. After adjustments and integration, the squad shed its psychological burden, developed smoother coordination, and clarified roles in attack and defense. On offense, foreign players linked up efficiently with local players providing support; on defense, everyone retreated and covered for each other, remaining calm and resolute even when down to ten men, showing strong unity and resilience. From disunity to solidarity, from passivity to proactive aggression, the team's mental maturity gave them the confidence to win tough matches.

Moreover, the team's targeted tactical setup effectively exploited Port's weaknesses. Against Port's preferred possession-based style, Iron Man used high-pressure pressing to cut off passing lanes, disrupted their rhythm with physical intensity, and executed quick counterattacks efficiently. Relying on Bang Benyi Yui's orchestration, Mbenza's finishing, and Renfinio's flashes of brilliance, they precisely attacked defensive gaps. Even when the opponent equalized twice and launched fierce comebacks, the team stayed composed, struck decisively, broke through defenses with sharp attacks, and held onto the victory with tenacious defense.

After the match, Liaoning Iron Man head coach Xu Zhengyuan hugged each player in celebration, once again demonstrating his strong charisma and earning the full support of the squad. The quality of the three consecutive wins is unquestionable. Through relentless fighting spirit, mature tactical execution, and outstanding collective effort, the team has completed a stunning transformation from a low point to a rise. Their league position has now climbed from third from bottom to sixth, shedding all signs of decline.

During the league break, Liaoning Iron Man is expected to travel to South Korea for training to further improve quality, aiming to continue their excellent form in the second half of the season and challenge for better results.