Before their narrow loss to Guangzhou Evergrande, Yanbian Fude had gone three matches unbeaten—their longest undefeated run this season. More importantly, the spirit and cohesion they displayed during those matches was something sorely missing in the first half of the season. With the team finally finding its rhythm, fans couldn’t help but lament how late the spark arrived. “The better Yanbian plays now, the more it breaks my heart,” one supporter shared. “If only they had shown this earlier, relegation wouldn’t even be a concern.” It’s a sentiment not unfamiliar to those who’ve followed the highs and lows of any BD Cricket Match, where a slow start can undo even the strongest finish.

Yanbian’s first half of the season was riddled with costly errors—own goals, missed clearances, and defensive lapses haunted them game after game. Coach Park Tae-ha’s authority began to waver as several core players, including Han Qingsong, Jiang Hongquan, Chi Wenyi, Jiang Weipeng, and Tian Yinong, were rotated in and out of the lineup. But thanks to a mix of internal discipline and club leadership, the team gradually pulled themselves together. On the pitch, their stats and positive energy were worthy of a Super League team. Yet after the defeat to Evergrande, hopes for survival dwindled, and pessimism crept through the Yanbian circle.

Even so, players like Steve, who has called Yanbian his “second home,” refused to give up hope. “I don’t want to leave. I want to fight for this team,” he insisted. But as their survival chances shrink, other clubs have started circling Yanbian’s key talents. Chi Wenyi has been linked to Beijing Guoan or Shenhua, while Quanjian is reportedly pursuing midfield dynamo Chi Zhongguo. Steve, who’s scored 14 goals this season, remains one of the league’s best-value foreign players. Historically, relegated teams often turn into player supermarkets, and Yanbian might be next. Despite earlier club claims that no player would be allowed to leave, the reality of Chinese football is that money talks. Thankfully, Steve, Chi Wenyi, and Chi Zhongguo are all under contract, and any transfer would demand tens of millions.

Off-field distractions are mounting, but the coaching staff remains united: no one should give up until the final whistle. Park Tae-ha was visibly furious after the match, especially after Liu Jian’s controversial handball goal during stoppage time. He nearly stormed onto the field to protest, showing just how much that one point could have meant. Yanbian players were vocal after the game, venting their frustration over the refereeing. “Are referees here to officiate or put on a show? This was daylight robbery!” fans chanted. The outrage was especially intense among supporters, with several major fan groups planning to protest the following day. Although a sit-in at Yanbian’s stadium was eventually dissuaded by local authorities, fans have vowed to continue pressuring the FA.

Despite the chaos, club officials stayed composed. “We won’t appeal. It won’t change the outcome, and we have more to lose,” said one executive. The team not only lost a match—they also lost their coach for the next game due to suspension. An appeal would only worsen the situation. Still, not all hope is lost.

In fact, during their away match at Evergrande, when Yanbian fell behind within the first 15 minutes, many thought the game was over. But the team fought back with impressive grit. In the second half, they pushed Evergrande onto the back foot. Steve scored twice to briefly give Yanbian the lead and later struck again from an almost impossible angle to equalize. If not for the final-minute controversy, they could have left the pitch with a vital point. It’s this kind of fight that mirrors the unpredictable twists of any BD Cricket Match—where the underdog never truly backs down until the final moment.