In the first round of the 2024 Chinese Super League, Tianjin Jinmen Tigers drew with Nantong Zhiyun at home. Five foreign players started at the same time, making the Jinmen Tigers the first team in the history of the Chinese Super League to start five foreign players, however, they extended the curse of the first round of the Chinese Super League to 12 years.
In the winter window, the Jinmen Tigers replaced all the foreign aids, and after sending away Beric and other foreign aids, the Jinmen Tigers signed Kompagno, Ademi, Fiorlic, Shkolic and Grant, except for Grant, the other 4 are midfielders.
In the first game against Nantong Zhiyun, Yu Genwei let all five foreign players start the game, and also made Jinmen Tiger the first team in the history of the Chinese Super League to start with five foreign aids, thanks to the 7655 new policy launched by the Chinese Super League this season. At the same time, Nantong Zhiyun also sent 4 foreign aids.
Five foreign aides started at the same time, allowing the Jinmen Tigers to take the initiative. Just two minutes into the game, Vincent Kompagno hit the crossbar with a header. In the 27th minute, Yang Mingxiang was yellow carded for a flying tackle on Fioric.
Despite failing to score in the first half, the Jinmen Tigers took the absolute initiative, with 54% possession and 2 of 7 shots on target, while Nantong Zhiyun had 6 shots and 0 shots on target. It is worth emphasizing that six of the seven shots taken by the Jinmen Tigers were completed in the penalty area, while Nantong only had three.
In the 51st minute, Barton crossed from the left, and Ademi headed the goal to score the first goal of the season for the Jinmen Tigers. Nine minutes later, the pair came close to combining again to open the scoring when Barton crossed again and Ademi fired over the crossbar.
However, the Cangzhou Lions equalised in the 67th minute when Cuarón, who played for Harbour last season, came off the bench and burst into the box from an offside position before slotting home to equalise.
It is worth emphasizing that the Tigers had just five shots on goal in the second half, compared to 10 for their opponents, and the only shot on target equalised. The two teams have met three times in history, and the Jinmen Tigers remain unbeaten, with 1 win and 2 draws, but they have never kept a clean sheet against their opponents, and the goal difference is only 1.
However, the Jinmen Tigers also extended the curse of unbeaten in the first game of the Chinese Super League to 12 years, with only 6 draws and 6 losses. The last time the Tigers won in the first round of the Chinese Super League was in 2012, when they won 1-0 at home to Dalian Albin in the first round.