September 7: Wang Yu and the 'Warrior' Recovering, Montgomery Changes Guoan's Character! Full-Strength FA Cup Title Push

In the 26th round of the Chinese Super League, Beijing Guoan faced Shanghai Port away from home in a fierce contest and eventually played out a 0-0 draw, successfully securing a valuable away point. Although they failed to break through their opponent's defense, considering the team's difficult situation at the moment—with several key players sidelined by injuries—holding firm under huge pressure away from home and drawing with a strong Shanghai Port side was undoubtedly a positive result. For Beijing Guoan, this draw was a match they could consider a 'win in spirit.'

In this match, goalkeeper Hou Sen was the team's anchor. He made as many as five outstanding saves throughout the game, repeatedly denying opponents' clear scoring opportunities and protecting the goal with his composure. After the match, Hou Sen was deservedly named the MVP, an honor that directly recognized his excellent performance. It is worth noting that Wang Gang, Wang Yu, Yang Liyu and other players also delivered impressive displays, gradually regaining their form and contributing to the team.

After the match, Hou Sen said in an interview that before the game, many outsiders were not optimistic about Beijing Guoan. 'Many people said we were plagued by injuries, and after going unbeaten for several matches, it was time for us to lose one.' However, at this crucial moment, the head coach rallied the team: 'We are a family. When we face difficulties, someone has to step up!' These words ignited the team's fighting spirit. Hou Sen emotionally stated that the entire squad was united, with everyone putting all their effort into the match. Although they did not win in the end, he believed the team had done justice to the fans who traveled a long way to support them.

Regarding the disadvantage in match statistics, Hou Sen showed a composed attitude: 'I enjoy the process of every match. Especially in more difficult games, I can feel the results of more than 30 years of making saves day after day through hard work. The tougher the moment, the more we need to stay motivated and give everything.' When asked about his strong performances in both away matches in Shanghai, Hou Sen openly expressed his deepest wish: 'I hope my form can be even better in Beijing, because Beijing is my home.'

Defender Wang Yu, who had previously faced criticism from fans, also opened up after the match. He said: 'Everyone is fighting, and we deserve this point.' Regarding outside comments, Wang Yu showed great maturity: 'Whether fans criticize, blame, or encourage me, I am grateful.' He added: 'Going forward, I will continue to do my best as always and try to handle everything as well as possible.' In fact, most players on a team experience pressure from their own supporters to some extent. The real test is how players achieve breakthroughs and growth at crucial moments.

Compared with the previous coach, Montgomery has brought a new character to Beijing Guoan. This seemingly ordinary draw allowed fans to see the team's long-missing fighting spirit and resilience. Such a determined team undoubtedly has the ability to compete for a cup title and fight for second place in the league. The direct clash with Shanghai Port was highly significant for Guoan. Drawing with their opponents while leaving half of their strength in reserve has given them a psychological advantage ahead of the upcoming FA Cup semifinal. In addition, with the international break approaching, the team is expected to welcome back injured players, providing greater momentum for future matches.

When discussing the injuries of players such as Fabio, Montgomery provided a detailed explanation. He said that the recovery process of several players is progressing steadily. Fabio's injury is mainly in the muscles at the back of his thigh, and forcing him to play could bring potential risks and possibly affect his performance in upcoming AFC Champions League matches. He emphasized that an important AFC Champions League game is approaching, and the situations of Fabio, Conte, Spajic and other players are similar. As a coach, he must fully consider the actual conditions of the players and avoid taking unnecessary risks.