Qingdao Hainiu drew 1-1 away against league leaders Chengdu Rongcheng on July 5 in the CSL's 17th round, keeping relegation hopes alive. The match kicked off at 9:30 a.m. Beijing time, with a goalless first half and the action picking up after the break. The point leaves Qingdao teetering on the edge of the safety zone, while Chengdu maintains its top‑spot.

Key moments of the match

In the 55th minute of the second half, Felipe Silva crossed left, and Yang Mingyang headed home to give Chengdu the lead. Just five minutes later, Jin Yonghao struck from distance, rattling the crossbar, and Yang Cong pounced on the rebound to level the score. In the 97th minute, Romulo seemed set to clinch a winner, but VAR ruled the goal out after a teammate handled the ball. The game ended 1‑1.

Why Qingdao Hainiu's defence mattered

Qingdao Hainiu showed a solid defensive display, especially centre‑back Zhang Hao and left‑back Liu Qiang, who each made several crucial tackles. They logged 23 interceptions and 19 tackles, effectively stifling Chengdu's attacks. In the 78th minute, veteran midfielder Wang Lei was introduced, further tightening the midfield shield.

Upcoming challenges for the club

After the round, Qingdao sits on 6 points in 15th place, four points shy of safety. The next two away fixtures will be decisive for survival. Head coach Li Jianhua said after the match that the team must find more scoring outlets up front while maintaining defensive intensity to scrape more points in the remaining season.

Fan and media reaction

Post‑match, Qingdao Hainiu’s social channels logged over 120,000 interactions, with fans praising the squad’s fighting spirit. Many highlighted Jin Yonghao’s long‑range effort as a sign of the team’s ambition, even though it didn’t find the net. Critics, however, pointed out a need for sharper attacking coordination to avoid missing chances in crucial moments.