In a match that kept fans on edge until the final whistle, Shanghai Port and Qingdao West Coast delivered a 3-3 draw in front of a roaring crowd in Shandong Province. The result maintained Shanghai's lead in the Chinese Super League standings while marking a historic milestone for Qingdao, who remain unbeaten in their first three matches of the season.
Qingdao seized early momentum through defensive lapses by Shanghai, with goalkeeper Yan Junling's errors leading to two first-half goals. Brazilian forward Matheus Indio opened the scoring in the 9th minute, followed by Abdul-Aziz Yakubu's clinical finish ten minutes later. Shanghai's 19-year-old rising star Li Xinxiang ignited the comeback with a decisive strike in the 25th minute, showcasing his growing influence in the league.
Yakubu's stoppage-time goal before halftime appeared to solidify Qingdao'ѕ advantage, but Li Xinxiang turned playmaker after the break. His dynamic runs and precise assists allowed Gustavo and Leonardo to erase the deficit, securing a valuable road point for the defending champions.
League Standings and Weekend Results
The draw leaves Shanghai Port atop the CSL table with seven points, while Qingdao West Coast sit mid-table with five points. Other weekend matches saw dominant performances from Zhejiang Professional (4-0 over Wuhan Three Towns) and a seven-goal thriller as Yunnan Yukun edged Shenzhen 4-3.
