Tianjin secured their place in the CSL playoffs after defeating Guangzhou Evergrande 1-0 at home on Sunday. The victory came as a relief for Tianjin, who had been struggling to find form this season and were facing the possibility of being relegated.
The match was a tight affair from start to finish, with both teams creating chances but failing to break down the other's defense. However, it was Tianjin who broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when substitute Zhang Yuning scored his first goal of the season. The goal proved to be enough to secure the three points and ensure that Tianjin would not be relegated this year.
For Tianjin, the win was a much-needed boost ahead of their remaining fixtures, which include games against Beijing Guoan and Shandong Luneng. With just one game left to play, Tianjin will need to focus on securing a top-four finish if they want to avoid relegation. A win against Shandong Luneng could well be enough to secure a spot in the playoffs.
Despite the early success, there is still work to be done for Tianjin. They have struggled to score goals this season, and will need to improve in that area if they hope to compete at the highest level. However, with a strong defensive record and a solid midfield, Tianjin can certainly cause trouble for their opponents in the remaining matches.