Lin Liangming Scores in Three Consecutive Matches! Activated by Coach Shao, Red-Carded Wei Zhen Exposed

After the U23 Chinese national team concluded the Asian Cup, coach Antonio returned to Spain for vacation, while most players went back home to a warm fan welcome. Meanwhile, another national squad remained in Dubai, UAE for training. Under coach Shao Jiayi, the team finished their last friendly match with a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan, ending the overseas camp unbeaten in three games.

Friendly Match Recap:

1. China 2-0 Arab Falcons (UAE third-division club), goals by Zhang Yuning and Lin Liangming
2. China 2-2 Spartak Moscow (Russian Premier League), goals by Zhu Pengyu and Lin Liangming
3. China 2-2 Uzbekistan, goals by Lin Liangming (penalty) and Xie Wenneng

According to media reports, the match against Uzbekistan was unofficial, divided into three 35-minute periods (105 minutes total) to better assess players and test tactics. China lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Yan Junling in goal; Liu Yang, Zhu Chenjie, Wei Zhen, and Barton in defense; Cheng Jin and Huang Jiahui as defensive midfielders; Lin Liangming, Serginho, and Xie Wenneng in midfield; Zhu Pengyu leading the attack.

China opened the scoring in the 12th minute with Lin Liangming converting a penalty, followed by Xie Wenneng extending the lead to 2-0 in the 20th minute. At the 60th minute, Wei Zhen received a red card after two yellows, later confirmed by the media. Despite being a man down, China remained competitive but gradually lost control to Uzbekistan. Husainov scored in the 91st minute and Karimov netted a last-minute equalizer at 105 minutes, finishing the match 2-2. Notably, Karimov had previously missed a penalty in the U23 Asian Cup quarterfinals, leading to Uzbekistan’s elimination by China.

Lin Liangming, having scored in all three matches, displayed excellent form and adaptation to Shao Jiayi’s tactical system, likely securing a starting role for future national team matches. At 28, he was once signed by Real Madrid but never appeared for the first team, returning to China’s Super League and remaining a national team regular. Previously under coaches Jankovic and Ivankovic, Lin was seldom used, but under Shao Jiayi, he has been reactivated as a key attacking figure.