Shandong Luneng secured a 2-1 victory over Shenzhen Xinpengcheng in the latest round of the Chinese Super League, thanks to a brace from forward Crichan. While Crichan’s performance earned plaudits, local striker Xie Wenneng also stood out with a crucial assist that set up one of the goals. Without Xie’s precise pass, Crichan’s double would not have been possible, and the team could have faced a last-minute equalizer after Shenzhen defender Hu Ruibao scored deep into stoppage time. 
Xie’s contribution was vital in avoiding a draw and securing three points for Luneng. The striker had been struggling for form recently, losing his place in the team and sparking calls from some fans for a loan move to regain sharpness. However, Luneng head coach Han Peng maintained faith in Xie, allowing him to start and deliver a breakthrough performance. 
At the start of the season, Xie had shown promise with a string of goals, emerging as a dark horse among local scorers. His consistent displays earned him a call-up to the national team under coach Shao Jiayi, where he made appearances in international matches. But after returning from international duty, his form dipped, leading to criticism. Determined to turn things around, Xie worked on his mentality and regained his composure, now playing with more confidence and freedom. Fans hope he can maintain this level and continue contributing goals and assists to help Luneng achieve success in both the league and the FA Cup.