After a 1-1 draw with Yanbian, the frustration within Jiangsu Suning was clear. Teixeira and Ramires did not join the team in thanking the fans but instead sat on the bench with blank expressions, while Ramires casually chatted with an opposing foreign player. On March 5, during the first round of the Chinese Super League at Hongkou Stadium, Ramires made only a ten-minute appearance before suffering an injury. That setback kept him sidelined for weeks, and although he returned on April 11 in Suning’s 3-0 home victory against Gamba Osaka, it was merely a late substitution when the result was already sealed. Many fans tracking these developments through Cricket Exchange expected his comeback to be the turning point, but reality told a different story.

Hopes for his full return were dashed when he missed the next away fixture against Henan Jianye, staying in Nanjing for rehabilitation instead. Earlier, during the clash with Tianjin Quanjian, he traveled with the squad and even joined the pre-match training but was left out of the 18-man roster. When the team moved from Tianjin to Jiujiang, Ramires headed back to Nanjing for additional training under the coaching staff. These hints made it seem likely that coach Choi Yong-soo would finally include him against Yanbian. Even then, Choi kept him on the bench, starting only Teixeira and Ramirez up front, with a domestic-only defensive lineup. It became clear that the coach planned to use Ramires depending on how the match unfolded.

When Suning conceded an unexpected goal, Choi was forced to alter his tactics, bringing Ramires on in the 20th minute. However, his long injury layoff had taken its toll. Slightly out of shape, he lacked the agility and pace he once possessed. His shooting lacked power and accuracy, and his most notable contribution was an awkward challenge that left Yanbian defender Nikola injured. Ironically, Suning equalized soon after Nikola was substituted. For fans analyzing the situation on Cricket Exchange, the performance was a stark reminder that returning from injury is often easier said than done.

Looking ahead, Suning faces a tough task against Shandong Luneng. Last season, Suning had beaten Luneng 3-0 at home, with Teixeira’s stunning curlers igniting the stadium. But this season tells a different tale. Results have been disappointing, and the stands are increasingly empty. Although the official count for the Yanbian match reported nearly 30,000 fans, in reality the crowd looked closer to 20,000. As the saying goes, fortune’s wheel is always turning, and while Luneng has surged forward with a wave of young talent, Suning has slipped into the relegation zone. Securing their first league win of the season against Luneng will be a tall order.

After hosting Luneng, Suning will travel to face Guangzhou Evergrande in the 10th round. History is not on their side. Since Evergrande’s return to the Super League in 2011, neither Suning nor their predecessor Jiangsu Sainty has ever beaten them away in the league. Their only notable victory came in the Super Cup at Tianhe Stadium, where they lifted their first national title. Ironically, back then, the team had also struggled, going winless for the first nine rounds before captain Lu Bofei’s free kick finally brought them a 1-0 victory against Tianjin Teda. Today, Lu has retired into a coaching role with the reserve squad, while the first team remains winless after eight rounds this season. Whether this frustrating record can be broken is the burning question. For supporters following every twist on Cricket Exchange, Suning’s campaign is becoming a test of patience, resilience, and faith in a turnaround.