Tianjin, the defending CSL champions, has secured their place in the 2021 Chinese Super League (CSL) playoffs after defeating Beijing Guoan 2-0 at the Tianjin Taishan Stadium on Sunday.
The match was crucial for both teams as it was a must-win game for Tianjin, who were sitting just one point above the relegation zone with only two games remaining in the regular season. The victory ensured that they would not be relegated to the second-tier league and secure their spot in the playoffs.
Tianjin's win came courtesy of goals from Zhang Yuzhe and Zhang Jie, who scored in the first half to give them a commanding lead. The result puts them in good shape heading into their next match against Shanghai Shenhua, which will also be a key game for the playoff positions.
Tianjin coach Gao Zhen said that his team had worked hard throughout the season and had made progress under his guidance. He added that he was proud of the way his players had performed and hoped that they could continue to play well in the playoffs.
Beijing Guoan manager Zhang Yimin said that they had played poorly in the last few matches and were disappointed with their performance. However, he also acknowledged that their failure to win the match was not entirely their fault and that there were still opportunities for improvement.
The CSL is a highly competitive league and any team can win at any time. It remains to be seen how the rest of the league will perform in the final stages of the regular season, but Tianjin's victory on Sunday is a significant step towards securing their spot in the playoffs.