A New Era for Chengdu Rongcheng
For many years, Chengdu was known for its pandas, hot pot cuisine, and the shrine dedicated to the ancient warlord Liu Bei. However, there’s now a new reason for people to visit the capital of Sichuan province. John Aloisi has only been in the city for a few months, but he is already being compared to the legendary Ange Postecoglou.
After eight games into the Chinese Super League season, Chengdu Rongcheng has become the league leaders, having dropped just two points, scored 23 goals, and captured the imagination of fans with dreams of their first title. The club has only existed for eight years, yet it’s already making waves.
“We know this is early in the season, but we’ve never played like this before,” says Chengdu Rongcheng fan Li Chen. “We believe we can 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 Family Derby with a Twist
The recent match between Chengdu Rongcheng and Zhejiang was billed as a “brotherly derby,” reminiscent of an ancient Chinese epic. Ross Aloisi, John’s older brother, brought his team to Phoenix Hill Sports Park Football Stadium for a family reunion. The game ended in a 4-0 victory for Chengdu, with 41,428 fans in attendance. The only downside for John was the convincing win over his older sibling, who looked disconsolate after shaking hands at the final whistle.
Ross Aloisi had a strong start in Hangzhou but struggled in April, collecting just one point from five games—14 fewer than John. With significant investment in the squad ahead of the season, Ross is now in danger of being dismissed. This would leave only three Australians in the Chinese Super League: Kevin Muscat at Shanghai Port and Nick Montgomery at Beijing Guoan.
Chengdu Rongcheng’s Rise
Despite the challenges faced by his brother, Chengdu Rongcheng continues to shine. The weekend’s game was another example of a team firing on all cylinders. One report highlighted the essential qualities of a team that can win the title, emphasizing 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 after 17 minutes, followed by Felipe, who added his 12th goal of the season. Wei Shihao effectively sealed the win before the break, and Behram Abduweli completed the victory for Chengdu.
“When the club first brought in Aloisi, many fans were sceptical: could this Australian coach handle it?” reported media giant Sina. “Now it seems that not only can he, but under him, the team is sharper going forward and plays with a more stable tempo.”
Tactical Innovations and Team Transformation
Aloisi has introduced a more fluid approach to formations, using a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 system. While the forward line takes the headlines, the coach has also revitalized the career of Han Pengfei, a 32-year-old centre-back who struggled last season. With more responsibility on the ball and increased movement around him, Han now looks like a different player.
Rômulo has emerged as a class above as the No. 10 pulling the strings, and the team’s work-rate and energy have improved significantly. Sceptical fans now gather around the training ground hoping for a selfie with the boss.
A Bit of Luck Helps
Aloisi has something else going for him—luck. Before the season started, nine of the 16 teams in the top tier were hit with points deductions for various financial violations. Muscat at Shanghai Port is going to struggle to make it three titles in a row as the champions started with a five-point deficit. Last season’s runners-up, Shanghai Shenhua, lost 10 points, and the five deducted from Zhejiang makes Ross Aloisi’s position more precarious, with just three points instead of eight from eight games played.
This means that Chengdu, third last season, are now four points clear and are favourites to win the title. Although the city has never been a football hotbed, things can change.
Looking Ahead
With the season just over a quarter done, there is still a long way to go. The next big test comes on Friday when Chengdu faces Shanghai Shenhua on a national holiday. If Leonid Slutsky’s side had not had points taken off them, they would be just two behind. A win against Chengdu in front of what should be a crowd of over 60,000 could change things dramatically.
It is a huge game, but John Aloisi, like Muscat and Postecoglou before him, is in an East Asian title race. It has already been thrilling, but it could become something historic.
