Special correspondent Gan Hui reports that football is a collective sport, but sometimes it also needs heroes who can turn the tide on their own. On the evening of the 21st, Yu Hanchao was this hero who was born. He came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute and scored two goals in two minutes before the end of the game to help Shenhua beat Tianjin Jinmen Tigers 2-1, ending a five-game winless streak against their opponents. More importantly, after winning this victory, Shenhua still maintained a two-point gap with Harbour and maintained the suspense of competing for the championship.
At the post-match press conference, head coach Slutsky also praised Yu Hanchao as the hero of the game, "Everyone saw this passionate game today, and it is difficult to analyze this game from a technical and tactical point of view at this moment. In any case, I think our team will continue to move forward on the road to the championship. Finally, I would like to say that Yu Hanchao is a well-deserved hero of this game. ”
Before the start of the game, Shenhua held a 100-game commemorative ceremony for Yu Hanchao, and Chairman Gu Jiqing awarded Yu Hanchao a 100-game commemorative jersey printed with his name and the word "100".
In July 2020, Yu Hanchao joined Shenhua on a free transfer from Guangzhou. In the last round of the league away against Zhejiang, Yu Hanchao came on as a substitute in the 69th minute of the game and completed the 100th Chinese Super League game for Shanghai Shenhua.
In last night's match with Tianjin Jinmen Tigers, head coach Slutsky still put Yu Hanchao on standby. Affected by the three-front battle, Shenhua played very hard. Tianjin Jinmen Tigers relied on Ademi's goal in the 3rd minute to establish an early lead in the score.
In the 82nd minute, when the offensive end was slow to open the situation and the team was still 0-1 behind, Slutsky left the last substitution to the veteran Han Chao, who used it to replace Teixeira in the first half.
At the critical moment, Yu Hanchao was like a god soldier from the sky, and he became the key to turning things around. In the 89th minute, Amadou passed to the goal from the right side, Malele headed the ball, and Yu Hanchao shot at the back point, and Shenhua finally equalized the score. In the 90th minute, Yu Hanchao scored a hanging shot from outside the penalty area into the corner, helping Shenhua defeat Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 2-1 and completing an incredible reversal.
"To be honest, the mood hasn't calmed down yet because it was a very difficult game. We all gave our best, from the top to the bottom, from the club to the coaches, we were all towards one goal. Although the process was not so smooth, everyone, including me, did not give up. After the game, Yu Hanchao, who appeared in front of the camera, couldn't hide his excitement.
When Yu Hanchao scored the second goal for Shenhua to reverse the score, Shanghai Stadium was boiling, and everyone gave applause and cheers to Shenhua who never gave up and Yu Hanchao who scored twice.
Although he is 37 years old, although he has not played too much time this season, before this game, Yu Hanchao's total playing time was 592 minutes, but he still had an amazing performance. Not long ago, in the second leg of the league this season, Yu Hanchao, who came on as a substitute, helped Shenhua equalize, and then sent an assist, directing Shenhua's reversal to win.
At the post-match press conference, when a reporter asked Slutsky to comment on Yu Hanchao and his experience in using Hanchao, Slutsky said, "To tell the truth, Yu Hanchao is no longer a young man, but his role as a leader in the team and a role model in training and games is unparalleled." No matter when he appears, he will always be conscientious on the field, and today I have only praise for Hanchao. ”
After this thrilling match, Shenhua did not have much time to recuperate, and on September 25, Shenhua will play Harbour in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, which is also the fourth Shanghai derby of the season. Talking about the next major event, Yu Hanchao said, "From now on, from the end of the group photo in the lounge, we have to prepare for the next game." Every game is crucial, whether it's against Harbour or Tianjin, we have to get three points in every game, we have to do our best. "In the first three meetings with Harbour this season, Shenhua are unbeaten with two wins and one draw.