Ganlian did not go easy, and Hakka did not give up.

Reporter Wang Wei reports Meizhou Hakka hosted Dingnan Ganlian at Wuhua Olympic Sports Center in this round. This match was not only a "Hakka Derby" between Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces, but also a "Tianjin Derby" between head coaches Zhang Xiaorui and Mao Biao. Furthermore, financial ties added another layer of complexity, sparking pre-match rumors that "the away side would take it easy to assist the struggling Hakka team." Yet, as soon as the game started on May 30, the action was intense. Dingnan Ganlian took the lead twice, but a resilient Meizhou Hakka equalized both times, eventually ending in a 2-2 draw.

Although it was only a draw, Meizhou Hakka managed to collect points again this season. Moreover, they are now just four points away from the relegation safety line. With the first half of the league season not yet complete, their survival campaign has once again sparked hope.

In the 26th minute of the match, Dingnan Ganlian's foreign player Daxiel scored a header to break the deadlock, putting Meizhou Hakka on the back foot. The home side responded quickly, with Feng Gang calmly slotting home a low shot just two minutes later to level the score. In the 35th minute, Dingnan Ganlian's captain Tang Shi scored a brilliant free kick, making it 1-2 and leaving Meizhou Hakka trailing again.

After the break, Meizhou Hakka fought with their backs to the wall, launching continuous attacks and repeatedly testing the opponent's defense. Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Yang Yihu delivered a precise cross, and Vini headed home to make it 2-2. Despite creating several chances to take the lead afterward, Meizhou Hakka failed to convert, and the match ended 2-2.

This hard-fought draw not only ended the team's pointless streak but also revitalized their morale and fighting spirit. Meizhou Hakka is arguably the most compact and streamlined squad in the China League One this season, with almost everyone pulling double duty. The club's general manager also serves as the interim head coach, the vice general manager doubles as the team doctor, the team leader acts as an assistant coach, and the sole translator handles bilingual communication for both foreign players and the coaching staff. Everyone knows their role—this is the most commendable perseverance in the face of adversity for Meizhou Hakka.

After the team lost at home to Ningbo in round six, Zhang Xiaorui, who had just been appointed as the club's general manager at the start of the season, took over as interim head coach. He suffered two consecutive defeats initially, putting the team's survival in jeopardy. However, Zhang quickly adjusted tactics and eased the players' mindsets. Through targeted improvements and fine-tuning, the team's form gradually recovered, achieving one win and one draw in the last two rounds.

Speaking after the match, Zhang Xiaorui praised his players' fighting spirit, stating that the team deserved a win. "Although we didn't claim victory, we were worthy of one. The players worked incredibly hard. In the past, conceding a goal might have deflated morale, but in this game, we came from behind twice and even had chances to overtake. That kind of spirit hasn't been seen in a long time. Our passing frequency and possession rate have also improved." According to Zhang, the team's biggest progress is not in statistics but in their mental shift. "Since I took charge, the most noticeable change has been the players' determination, cohesion, and fighting spirit, along with a strong desire to win."

Before the season began in January, Meizhou Hakka was deducted three points. Thanks to consecutive wins in rounds 3 and 4, they cleared the deficit and returned to zero. However, in May, the Chinese Football Association imposed an additional six-point deduction, sending them back into negative territory and to the bottom of the table. The club is in deep trouble, and the players are under severe physical and mental strain, resulting in poor form. "The situation hasn't been great recently, and the pressure on the players has been enormous. But we've been using various methods to encourage them and relieve their stress," Zhang explained. Through ongoing guidance from the coaching staff, the players have gradually shed their psychological burdens and regained their aggressive edge.

In the last two rounds, with an away win over Shijiazhuang Gongfu and a home draw against Dingnan Ganlian, Meizhou Hakka now has one point again. Discussing the team's relegation prospects and next steps, Zhang told reporters: "From the owner's perspective, he hasn't given up. He's been in football for so many years—he won't just walk away at the first sign of trouble. We even plan to bring in reinforcements during the summer transfer window. We'll give it everything because we believe we can stay up and remain in the China League One. I've also told the players that the harder the times, the more you can prove your worth. Let's take it one game at a time. Relegation survival is not impossible; in fact, it's very likely. To pull it off under such tough circumstances would be historic."

In the interview, Zhang also admitted that the squad has weaknesses, but he firmly believes that hard work can bridge the gap on paper: "We might be a bit behind other teams in terms of personnel right now, but I don't think that matters. What counts is who runs more and who fights harder for 50-50 balls. The team that does that has a better chance of winning. Paper strength is just on paper." Zhang reiterated his confidence: "Times are tough, but we believe we can survive relegation."

This match was a "Tianjin Derby" between the two head coaches Zhang Xiaorui and Mao Biao, but Zhang is more focused on the overall growth of local coaches. "I hope to grow together with these younger colleagues, gain experience on this platform, and contribute to Chinese football. But even more, I hope that derbies between local coaches become ordinary and no longer make headlines. I want more Chinese coaches to get opportunities to train and showcase themselves in the China League One and the Chinese Super League. That would benefit Chinese football greatly."