Sept. 10: Bunyamin Creates Xinjiang Football Record as 18-Year-Old Star Shines in CSL

After the final whistle, the scoreboard at Yuxi Plateau Sports Center showed a bright 5-0. Liaoning Tieren players walked into the tunnel with their heads down without stopping.

In this Chinese Super League Round 26 match, the biggest spotlight belonged neither to foreign striker Kleber nor the veteran captain, but to 18-year-old winger Bunyamin, who decided the game with a goal and an assist.

Young stars emerging at the World Cup are not unusual. Mbappe scored in a World Cup final at 19, and the key word in this CSL match was simply: youth.

That low driven cross completely broke apart Liaoning's right-side defense.

The 32nd-minute attack was simple: accelerate down the right, withstand the defender shoulder-to-shoulder, and send the ball along the grass into the penalty area.

Bunyamin's sequence was perfectly timed: he created separation, used his body to block the defensive line, then slipped a straight pass between defender and goalkeeper. Kleber finished with a simple touch for 1-0.

Liaoning's full-back was constantly dragged out of position, and there was no defender available to cover Kleber. The low cross arrived perfectly and could not be stopped.

Before the cross, Bunyamin changed pace cleverly: slowing down first, accelerating suddenly, forcing the defender outward, then cutting inside and shifting the defensive balance.

Yukun are used to high pressing at home, and the altitude makes opponents tire faster. After three attacks down the right, the third finally tore open the defense.

The 77th-minute interception and one-on-one chance came entirely from Bunyamin's effort.

The 4-0 goal was not a wonder strike, but a product of aggressive pressing.

In the 77th minute, Liaoning hesitated on a central back pass. Bunyamin predicted the ball, won possession, checked the goalkeeper, and calmly curled the ball into the far corner.

There was no unnecessary skill involved; the angle and power were perfect, and the goalkeeper's fingertips could not stop it.

The impressive part was that he can run, carry the ball, and wait for the right moment, turning physical advantages into timing advantages.

The pressing was a planned tactic. He waited for mistakes in receiving and passing, won the ball, and immediately created a one-on-one chance through repeated training.

From substitute to regular starter, his running ability has been extremely valuable.

Early in the season he was on the edge of the squad, with limited minutes and the simple task of learning every route on the wing.

Now firmly part of the rotation, he plays with increasing efficiency, releases the ball quickly, and finds dangerous spaces before others.

Most impressive is his ability to contribute at both ends, attacking aggressively and recovering quickly, earning the coach's trust on the wing.

After the match he said simply: the team must secure the defense first, because clean sheets are the foundation of attack.

Yukun's defensive structure was compact, midfielders avoided reckless pressing, and full-backs always had cover. Liaoning's wing attacks were repeatedly stopped.

The home advantage at altitude was obvious. Liaoning slowed down in the second half, while Yukun kept accelerating after the 70th minute, creating Bunyamin's one-on-one opportunity.

The record of nine goal contributions connected perfectly with the previous 2019 list.

By CSL Round 26, Bunyamin had recorded five goals and four assists, directly contributing to nine goals.

The figure matched Mu Rehemitijiang's 2019 Xinjiang-player record and Bunyamin's five goals surpassed Baihelamu's previous four-goal mark.

Nine goal contributions may not seem extraordinary, but for an 18-year-old completing his first full CSL season, it carries major significance.

Mu Rehemitijiang was more of a wide creator, while Bunyamin likes entering the box and making decisions himself. Both styles fit Yukun's system.

A Yukun fan said after the match that the youngster was like a wing perpetual-motion machine, maintaining energy and rhythm throughout the game.

Meanwhile, Baihelamu represents a completely different style of impact.

Another Xinjiang-born forward, Baihelamu, has made 24 appearances for Chengdu Rongcheng this season, scoring four goals with eight starts and 16 substitute appearances.

His role is clear: enter when opponents tire, attack space behind defenses with long sprints, and change games as a substitute.

His statistics are modest, but his value comes after the 70th minute when he targets tired opponents.

Comparing the two is interesting: one fills the wing through constant running, while the other breaks defenses with direct bursts. Modern CSL football values both.

Bunyamin provides consistent output, while Baihelamu offers explosive impact. Both help their teams collect points.

Bunyamin delivered a goal and an assist with high efficiency, while Baihelamu's substitute goals show his ability to decide games quickly.

These small details determine whether statistics can continue growing, leaving lasting contributions rather than isolated moments.

The CSL now has only four rounds remaining, but many changes are still possible.

A packed schedule and travel demands test players. Yukun are chasing Asian competition qualification, while consistency matters most for Bunyamin and Baihelamu's performances affect Chengdu's final position.

The foundation of this 5-0 win was team defense. Liaoning's defeat also came from weak wing protection and midfield passing mistakes.

The rare balance for a young player is taking risks without losing control, dribbling without abandoning defensive duties, and shooting without forcing everything alone.

His next improvement is sharper passing and shooting decisions, using his speed more effectively and syncing better with teammates.

Yukun's coaching staff gives young players space, with an attacking focal point and stable midfield structure, allowing them to develop within a system.

Records are not something to chase deliberately; they are results of consistently improving details. Nine contributions are only a new starting point.

More broadly, the CSL is giving more opportunities to local pace-based young players. Those who combine speed with decision-making gain an advantage.

Liaoning fans also acknowledged that the defeat was understandable, with wing problems clearly needing correction.

Looking back at the 2019 record, the numbers match but the playing styles have changed. Modern pressing and combinations now define the attack.

This match is not only about praising a young player; it shows that pressing, crossing and calm finishing can all be developed through training.

The three points are secured, but the final four rounds remain important. The 18-year-old Bunyamin has written his name into CSL history, with more possibilities ahead.