Copa Rushmori 42, Group Stage MD3: Austroslovakia 0–5 Yuezhou
Starting Lineup (4-3-3): Zhao; Lu, Zhu (Li 57), Yuan (C), Dong (Reeve 73); Wen (Luo C. 65), Wan, Mingsdottír Zhang (Guo 57); Jiang, Liu, Luo N. (Luo D. 65)
Goals: Luo N. 12, Liu 25, 42 (p); Dong 68, Luo D. 82
After zero goals in their first two matches, the sleeping Dragon finally woke up against Austroslovakia, putting five goals past the poor Austroslovakian goalkeeper en route to a resounding victory. While the win buoys their chances of advancement to the Round of 16, they still have an uphill climb ahead of them: Savojarna's win over Three Golden Kingdoms (so now you stop being Ko-oren at the back?) means that Yuezhou will need to defeat the Northlights to avoid a humiliating early exit.
The biggest narrative of the day was that four-at-the-back did what three-at-the-back couldn't. It's perhaps too obvious of a lesson for Chen Huikang, who rode the 4-3-3 to a Licentian domestic title and a runners-up finish at the Cup of Harmony. But the manager had thought a Lu Jialan-esque 3-4-3 might be best to stabilize a transitional roster. No goals in two matches seem to have dispelled this notion, although obviously, Chen might know a bit more about tactics than we do. Still, even against weaker opposition, the Dragons looked the best they've been since the Cup of Harmony semifinals from the opening whistle. The ever-reliable Luo Nanwei put Yuezhou up after just twelve minutes, barely keeping Wen Xiaohui's diagonal switch from going out for a goal-kick before cutting inside and slicing the ball in at the near post. While Austroslovakia nearly equalized against the run of play, Yuezhou continued to apply pressure and was rewarded with a Liu Huiyihng brace before the half. The first was a solo goal of wondrous quality, as Liu took on three defenders before firing home from close range. The second nearly saw Kara Mingsdottír register the first of many international assists with a piercing through-ball, but Jiang Jieren was felled after latching onto it, winning a penalty that Liu calmly converted.
While Yuezhou was less controlling in the second half, giving Austroslovakia a few opportunities to pull a goal back, Zhao Deliang, as well as the relatively new pairing of Zhu Mingxia and Yuan Mingrong, held firm. Zhu in particular had a brilliant goal-line clearance that surely saved the Dragons' second clean sheet of the Copa (and the first they'll actually be excited by). The introduction of Guo Hong at the hour mark did see the tides shift somewhat back in the leaders' favor, as the 1896 Ebor turned in an energetic, harrying performance that put serious pressure on Austroslovakia's midfield and defense. It was his pressing that led to the turnover that gave Yuezhou their fourth goal of the night, off of a diagonal run and belted finish from fullback Dong Xiaowang, and his pass that started the sequence that gave Luo Dan a headed set-piece goal at the far post.
Lineup to play Copa Rushmori 42, Group Stage MD5 (v. Savojarna): (4-3-3) Zhao; Lu, Zhu, Yuan (C), Dong; Wen, Wan, Guo; Jiang, Liu, Luo N.
Against the Northlights in what is sure to be a do-or-die match, Chen Huikang has opted to stick with the 4-3-3. However, compared to the free-flowing attacking setup that won Yuezhou their first international silverware, this is significantly more focused on maintaining pressure on Savojarna's dangerous midfield and attack. In defense, the more skilled Li Jianguo gives way to the more aerially imposing Zhu Mingxia. More surprisingly, Guo Hong will get the start at center-midfield alongside Wan Sheping and Wen Xiaohui, likely owing to his strong substitute appearance against Austroslovakia. Kara Mingsdottír Zhang, who started against Austroslovakia but returns to the bench to the horror of the Free Kara crowd, is likely to come on for Wen Xiaohui around the hour mark.