Guangzhou R&F: The Chinese Leicester leading the table

Daniel Storey

Football’s popularity is at least partly explained by the appreciation that anything can happen. The latest high-profile case of the underdog surprising everyone and pleasing (pretty much) everyone was Leicester City’s triumph, in which they showed how marvellously unpredictable football can be over not just 90 minutes, but a whole season.

This season a little known (overseas, at least) and even less fancied club are doing their best to replicate Leicester City: That team is Guangzhou R&F. You may know that Guangzhou is home to one of China and Asia’s most successful clubs, Paulinho’s Guangzhou Evergrande. For many years, R&F have been the second team in Guangzhou, unable to compete with their bigger neighbours with results on the pitch. Until now, their best league finish was third place in 2014.

This poorer performance is linked to weaker finances. Not having the same funding as their crosstown rivals (Asia’s richest club) or some of the Chinese Super League’s other teams, they have been unable to bring in the big names we have come to expect from the CSL. In fact, their biggest name so far was ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who managed them between 2013 and 2014.

However, after the first six games of this season’s Chinese Super League,  Guanzhou R&F find themselves three points clear at the top. They have taken 16 points from a possible 18, only being denied an away win against Guangzhou Evergrande by a last-minute equaliser.

As Leicester fans can vouch, weaker financial clout and a corresponding lack of big names is a problem which can be overcome. Guangzhou are a well-balanced side – hard-working and on the same wavelength. They have a largely unchanged team from last year, so are used to playing with each other. They have improved their defensive play significantly, with a back line lead by captain Jiang Zhipeng. This strengthening was crucial as defence was their biggest weakness last season. So far they have conceded four goals in six games, giving them the joint best defensive record.

Their strike force, led by the Israeli international Eran Zahavi (briefly of Palermo), have helped out the other end, with Zahavi currently top scorer with six. In midfield they have the imported Brazilian playmaker Renatinho, who adds flair to their play and consistently helps in breaking down the opposition.

That is something else Leicester fans will tell you: Just because your team’s players are not the most expensive, or the biggest names, it does not mean they cannot be vital. Zahavi, although not as famous as the likes of Carlos Tevez, is proving to be rather better than some of the best-paid players in the world.

Guangzhou R&F are nothing if not consistent. In their first six games they have started only 14 players, with three of those having started only one game. It is clear the manager, Serbian Dragan Stojkovic, has found an effective starting XI so, unless there are any major injuries, it is likely they will continue with the same shape and selection. This core group of first-team players have bonded to such an extent that social media and the club themselves refer to them as ‘brothers’. If they carry on winning and playing together, this brotherhood is only likely to strengthen. The links to Leicester’s camaraderie and morale are again obvious.

Momentum is a strong force in football. Guangzhou R&F always play like they can take all three points, regardless of the opposition, even if they fall behind. Last weekend, they had an away game against Jiangsu Suning and went one behind after half an hour. They were being outplayed, but remained patient and in the second half managed to get two goals (both from Zahavi) and win the game 2-1.

After only six games in a season of 30, it is too early to be talking of winning the league, especially since second-place Shanghai SIPG are only three points behind. But people were saying much the same thing about Leicester after a few games of their title-winning season. Like Leicester, there is belief in this team – belief they can win every game and belief in each other.

Laurence Mason – Laurence runs the Great Ball of China blog.