Tianjin Quanjian set for another confidence boost

Chinese Super League
12.35pm Friday

Four wins in five games have lifted Tianjin Quanjian to a seasonal high position of fourth in the Chinese Super League and another three points should be obtained from their home match with Guangzhou R&F.

Under the guidance of Italian manager Fabio Cannavaro, a former Fifa World player of the Year and a World Cup winning captain, Tianjin won promotion as China League One champions last season and are one of the more ambitious teams in the league.

They have been linked with a big money move for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but already have a strong team who are gaining confidence in the top flight.

High-profile signing Alexandre Pato has played a starring role – notching eight goals in 15 appearances – and the midfield is ably anchored by Belgian international Axel Witsel.

Tianjin have lost just one of their eight games at Haihe Educational Stadium this season and achieved a superb result when winning 4-3 at home to leaders and defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande earlier last weekend.

Catching Guangzhou Evergrande, who are 12 points ahead, will be difficult but Tianjin are in a confident frame of mind and will be tough opponents for sixth-placed Guangzhou R&F, who have faded in recent months.

R&F – managed by former Yugoslavia legend Dragan Stojkovic - took 16 points from their first six games and led the standings for four weeks in April and May.

However, they have gone off the boil. winning one, drawing five and losing three of their last nine fixtures.

They possess the league's top scorer in 13-goal Israel international Eren Zahavi but defensive frailties are costing them dearly.

Stojkovic's side have kept just one clean sheet in 12 games and they are likely to be exposed by one of the league's more progressive teams.

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