Dalian Yingbo complete dramatic comeback to win CSL
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Dalian Yingbo completed a remarkable final-day turnaround to win the Chinese Super League title on Sunday, beating Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 3-1 at home while leaders Chengdu Rongcheng fell 3-2 away to Shandong Taishan. The two clubs ended the season level on 52 points, but Dalian took the championship because the league first uses head-to-head results as the tiebreaker, and Dalian beat Chengdu in both meetings this season. The title swing capped a collapse by Chengdu, who needed only a draw before kickoff, and a surge by Dalian, who won their last five matches. According to China Radio, it is Dalian Yingbo's first top-flight league title, and a Dalian club's first league crown in 21 years
Key Points
- Chengdu Rongcheng entered the final round top of the table and required only one point, but lost 3-2 to Shandong Taishan away.
- Dalian Yingbo beat Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 3-1 at home, with goals credited to Yang Mingrui, Liao Jintao and Huang Shan in stoppage time
- Both teams finished on 52 points, and Dalian were awarded the title because they completed a league double over Chengdu this season.
- RTHK said Dalian erased a 14-point gap over the last five rounds with five straight wins, while Chengdu managed one draw and four defeats
- SingTao reported Chengdu had once led the league by 18 points, but their late slump included three straight defeats entering the decider
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong football followers, the finale was notable not only for the title drama but also because Hong Kong player Lee Siu-hang (李小恆) appeared for Shandong Taishan and helped turn the decisive match after coming on early. The finish also underlines how the CSL title race was decided by head-to-head results rather than goal difference, a rule that proved decisive when the top two ended level on points.