Three consecutive warm-up wins, Yunnan Yukun is about to face the North Korean national team

By Zuo Rui On the morning of the 22nd, Yunnan Yukun won 3-1 against Wuhan Three Towns in their third warm-up match during winter training. While the score does not fully represent the strength of both sides, nor does it allow for reliable predictions of Yukun’s upcoming season, coach Jordi’s pursuit of possession and ground offense is unmistakable, and the new lineup’s cohesion and execution are on the rise. Entering their second year in the Chinese Super League, Yukun is gearing up confidently for a new chapter.

The match kicked off at Field No. 5 at Kunming Hongta Base, attracting over two hundred fans. To better integrate the team and implement tactical ideas, Jordi used different lineups for each half. Starting players included goalkeeper Bao Yaxiong; defenders Yang Zihao, Burke, Shi Ke, and Deng Hanwen; midfielders Xu Xin, Caio, and Jonicha; forwards Han Zilong, Oscar, and Hou Yongyong.

This 4-3-3 formation featured six new signings and often resembled a 4-1-4-1 setup in practice, with Xu Xin consistently controlling the tempo and Oscar positioned as the foremost attacker. Besides his rich experience, Xu Xin’s excellent anticipation, observation skills, and ability to communicate directly with the coaching staff in Spanish are advantages. New signing Kleber is still adapting and missed this match due to a minor injury, while Oscar, who scored twice, appeared less isolated than before. Apart from changes in defensive midfield and striker roles, the attack-minded Jonicha enjoyed much greater freedom.

The new tactics brought a significant shift as Yukun’s overall formation pushed higher up the field, gaining more possession and maintaining pressure in the opponent’s half for extended periods. Since Wuhan Three Towns are also rebuilding their coaching staff and have yet to finalize new foreign players, they mainly relied on long balls from the back in the first half. This temporary disadvantage somewhat resembled Yukun’s style from last season.

In defense, both Burke and Shi Ke delivered precise ground passes, while Deng Hanwen and Yang Zihao demonstrated their dual abilities in defense and wing crosses. In midfield, the offensively skilled Jonicha was given much more liberty, and although Caio did not perform flashy tricks or dazzling skills, his smart ball handling is crucial in the new system. He covered a large area, not only taking shots himself but also providing an assist after a steal.

After Wuhan Three Towns took the lead with a long-range shot in the first half, Oscar put Yukun ahead. In the second half, after a complete lineup change including newcomers Huang Zichang, Fernando, and Wang Zhifeng, the all-Chinese squad still maintained a certain advantage on the field. Near the end, former Three Towns player Chen Yuhao, now on loan-turned-permanent transfer, was fouled inside the box during a strong drive, and Ye Chugui converted the penalty.

Following the announcement of 10 new signings on January 5th, Yukun’s major recruitment for the new season is nearly complete. Building on the starting lineup used on the 22nd, the team is working on refining details and strengthening potential, with the main framework and tactical style gradually taking shape. Currently, the midfield and forward lines have yet to fully meet Jordi’s expectations, which is why the Spanish coach frequently shouts instructions during matches to remind players about positioning and ball handling details.

In the previous two warm-up games, Yukun recorded scores of 3-2 and 3-0, defeating two China League One teams, Shijiazhuang Kungfu and Wuxi Wugou, respectively.

After facing a Chinese Super League team for the first time during winter training, on the 24th they will meet an even more special and tougher opponent — the North Korean national team. Coinciding with the latter’s training camp in Yuxi, Jordi plans to treat this rare visit like an official match, using it as an opportunity to further advance his tactical approach.