A New Era for Chengdu Rongcheng
For many years, Chengdu was known for its pandas, hot pot, and historical sites like the shrine of Liu Bei. However, a new reason to visit the city has emerged: the success of John Aloisi, who is quickly gaining recognition as the next Ange Postecoglou.
Since joining Chengdu Rongcheng just a few months ago, Aloisi has led the team to impressive results in the Chinese Super League. After eight games, the club has only dropped two points, scored 23 goals, and is now seen as a strong contender for their first title in just eight years of existence.
Chengdu Rongcheng fan Li Chen shared his excitement: “We know it’s early in the season, but we’ve never played like this before. We believe we’re going to win every game, score every time we attack, and we think this could be the year. What Postecoglou did in Japan and Kevin Muscat did in Shanghai, Aloisi can do here. There’s confidence in the team, and we’re all behind him.”
A Dominant Performance
The recent match between Chengdu Rongcheng and Zhejiang was described as a “brotherly derby.” Ross Aloisi, John’s older brother, brought his team to Phoenix Hill Sports Park for a family reunion, but the result was a 4-0 victory for Chengdu in front of 41,428 fans. The only downside for John was the convincing win over his sibling, who looked disheartened after the game.
Ross Aloisi has had a tough April, collecting just one point from five games, which is 14 fewer than John. With significant investment in the squad ahead of the season, he is at risk of being dismissed, leaving only three Australians in the Chinese Super League.
A Team on the Rise
Chengdu Rongcheng has been firing on all cylinders, with a perfect balance between control and explosiveness. The four goals came from the four forwards, showcasing the team’s attacking prowess. Wellington Silva opened the scoring, followed by Felipe, who added his 12th goal of the season. Wei Shihao sealed the win before the break, and Behram Abduweli completed the victory.
Media outlet Sina reported that many fans were initially skeptical about Aloisi’s ability to handle the role. However, they now believe he not only can but is making the team sharper and more stable.
Tactical Changes and Improved Performances
Aloisi has introduced a more fluid approach to formations, using a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 system. This has revitalized players like Han Pengfei, a 32-year-old centre-back who struggled last season but now looks like a different player. Rômulo, the No 10, has been outstanding, pulling the strings for the team. The overall work-rate and energy have also improved, with sceptical fans now gathering around the training ground hoping for a selfie with the coach.
A Bit of Luck
Aloisi has also benefited from some luck. Before the season started, nine of the 16 teams in the top tier were hit with points deductions for financial violations. This has made the competition more open, with Chengdu now leading the table.
Looking Ahead
With the season just over a quarter done, there is still a long way to go. The next challenge for Chengdu Rongcheng is a national holiday game against Shanghai Shenhua. If they win, it could change the dynamics of the league. However, John Aloisi, like Muscat and Postecoglou before him, is in an East Asian title race. The season has already been thrilling, and it could become something historic.
