With this round of the tournament coming to an end, the Jiangsu duo's scoreboard is marked with 46 and 44 points respectively, and the two teams are expected to challenge and set new scoring highs for the Super League in the remaining 16 rounds of the tournament.
Qingdao Manatee Encounters Challenges
This round's marquee match between Qingdao Hainiu and Sichuan Jiuniu attracted a lot of attention. As the best of the best in the Super League, the two teams engaged in a battle of life and death for six points. After a fierce battle, Sichuan Jiuniu beat Qingdao Hainiu 2-1 with goals from Ma Xiaolei and Edu Garcia, increasing their points to 35 and leaving a gap of only 4 points with Qingdao Hainiu. Nevertheless, given that the two sides still have a second round to play, with 16 rounds left in the league, the 4-point gap doesn't seem that significant.
Although Qingdao Hainiu once equalized the score with the foreign aid Onuebu, but still exposed the loopholes in the defensive end, and finally was broken by the opponent again. After losing 3 points, Qingdao Hainiu's lead was challenged: on the one hand, the difference with Kunshan team widened to 5 points; on the other hand, behind Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic, Sichuan Jiuiuiu, Shijiazhuang Kungfu chased closely, the difference is only within four or five points.
It is worth noting that in the next round, Qingdao Hainiu will face the leader Nantong Zhiyun. After the physical exhaustion of Sichuan Jiuniu, the challenge of Nantong Zhiyun will undoubtedly be a much tougher match. If Qingdao Sea Cowboys fail to win, their previously established lead could be further reduced.
Shaanxi and Shijiazhuang clinched
In this round, Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic and Shijiazhuang Kung Fu also beat their opponents respectively and moved steadily forward. Shaanxi reached 35 points and continues to be in the top four, only 4 points away from the super region. Shijiazhuang Kung Fu's points became 34 points, and the hope of overstepping the supremacy is also becoming clearer and clearer.
It is worth mentioning that Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic, after playing with Kunshan, Qingdao Hainiu and Sichuan Jiuniu, faces relatively weak opponents and has a greater chance to consolidate the existing ranking advantage and strive to enter the super region.
Shijiazhuang Kung Fu's schedule is even tougher, as they will face Qingdao Hainiu and Sichuan Jiuniu in consecutive matches, each of which is a tough battle. Sichuan Jiu Niu's schedule is also not easy, in addition to the second round match against Qingdao Hainiu, they will also play two rounds against Shijiazhuang Kung Fu. In the next round, the two teams will play a match worth 6 points.
Five teams vying for relegation survival
In the relegation zone, Beijing Institute of Technology has not won a single game after 18 rounds and has only 2 points, basically locking up a relegation spot and may be relegated to China B in many rounds ahead of schedule.
The other two relegation spots are not yet clear. However, looking at the table pattern, Xinjiang Tianshan Snow Leopard and Liaoning Shenyang City, currently ranked 17th and 16th, have become the favorites for relegation. Although they suffered a loss in the first round of the second half of the season, they have at least double-digit points and still have a chance to catch up with the teams ahead of them. Therefore, they need to adjust their mentality and go all out for every point.
Beijing North Sports University and Guangxi Pingguo Ha Loud and Clear, both with 15 points, are on the same treacherous road to relegation. The resignation of Guangxi Pingguo Ha Loud and Clear's manager Oscar means that the promoted team may face a change of managerial adjustment. This is a key turning point, if adjusted properly, they are expected to relegation success; on the contrary, if not adjusted properly, they may continue to fall into relegation difficulties. Therefore, Guangxi Pingguo Ha Loud and Clear must consider carefully when choosing a new manager.
