With 7 wins, 3 draws, and 24 points in the last 10 rounds, Guangzhou Baole dominates the China League One.

Reported by Wang Wei On the evening of August 15, the league leader Guangzhou Baole traveled to Jiangsu Jiangyin Sports Center to challenge Wuxi Wugou. With a stable overall display and sharp attacking efficiency, Guangzhou Baole won 3-0, securing a 10-match unbeaten streak with 7 wins and 3 draws, currently leading the China League One table with 43 points.

In this match, Guangzhou Baole head coach Feng Feng continued with the same starting lineup that secured victory in the previous round. The front three consisted of Wang Jingbin, Nikon, and Camara, posing a threat to the opponent's defense. In midfield, Huang Shenghao and Xiao Kun partnered as double pivots to manage transitions, while Yang Hao and Wang Jianming operated on the wings to energize the flanks. The defensive line featured Han Xuan and Liu Langzhou in central defense, Liao Junjian as captain, and Xiao Jiaqi in goal. The bench was well-stocked, with Joao Carlos and Jiang Jihong ready to step in, and Hou Yu, returning from injury, was named in the matchday squad, further deepening the team's roster.

Looking at the history between the two sides, they have met few times with mixed results: in the third round of the 2024 FA Cup, Wuxi Wugou narrowly beat Guangzhou Baole at home; in the 4th round of this season's China League One, Guangzhou Baole avenged that loss with a 1-0 home win. In this rematch, both teams played openly with a fast tempo. Guangzhou Baole controlled the rhythm better in the first half and were highly efficient in front of goal: In the 32nd minute, Nikon crossed from the right, and Wang Jingbin scored from inside the box, 1-0. In the 37th minute, Nikon took a free kick, and Han Xuan (see left photo) scored with a header, 2-0. In the 41st minute, Liao Junjian crossed from the right, and Han Xuan headed in his second goal, making it 3-0 by halftime. The second half saw exchanges from both sides, but the match ended 3-0, with Guangzhou Baole keeping a clean sheet away from home.

After the match, Feng Feng praised the team's overall performance in an interview, commending their first-half display: "I can say this was our best first half of the season. The rhythm control and finishing were excellent. Han Xuan's two headers were beautiful, and Wang Jingbin's goal was also brilliant. We created chances in the second half as well, though we were a bit impatient in finishing. But overall, it was a fantastic game."

Central defender Han Xuan, who scored two headers, was named Man of the Match. Speaking about the team's goalscoring, Feng Feng attributed it to diligent training: "We have specific drills for header scoring in training. In this match, whether it was the delivery or the timing of the runs, everything was spot on, so the goals came naturally."

After 19 rounds this season, Guangzhou Baole have shown remarkable stability in their push for promotion. They have remained unbeaten in the last 10 rounds, picking up 24 points. Overall, their attacking and defensive systems are maturing, their tactics are becoming more defined, and set pieces and aerial attacks have become key scoring weapons. With sufficient squad rotation and stable player form, they have the quality to challenge for a Chinese Super League spot.

The competition for promotion in the China League One this season is fierce. The standings from second to fifth are tightly bunched with no clear gap. Guangzhou Baole's ability to stand out relies on their consistent performances. However, in the match against Wuxi Wugou, they also exposed some weaknesses: a drop in finishing efficiency in the second half, a slightly anxious mentality, and room for improvement in maintaining stability throughout the entire game under high-intensity pressure. For a team aiming for promotion, Guangzhou Baole cannot afford to relax in the remaining fixtures. They must make their current form a norm, stabilize their mentality, and maintain the steady points-gathering rhythm, as the club's latest directive states: "The more critical the moment, the more we must stay humble and low-key. Take it one game at a time, and strive to win every match. As long as the whistle hasn't blown, the fight continues!"

Next, Guangzhou Baole will continue their away campaign, traveling to face Meizhou Hakka on the evening of August 22. Although Meizhou Hakka are currently deep in the relegation zone, Guangzhou Baole must not underestimate their opponent's will to survive.