Chengdu squander 12-point lead to lose Chinese Super League title

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 02:20 · Archive

Chengdu Rongcheng lost the Chinese Super League title on the final day after surrendering a 12-point lead, with Dalian Yingbo claiming the trophy.

Chengdu Rongcheng's Chinese Super League title hopes collapsed on the final day of the season as they lost 3-2 to Shandong Taishan. Dalian Yingbo simultaneously defeated Tianjin Tiger 3-1, earning them the championship. Both teams finished level on 52 points, but Dalian claimed the trophy with a better head-to-head record that included a victory over Chengdu in the penultimate round.

Chengdu had led the competition since the opening day and held a 12-point advantage at one stage. However, they collapsed spectacularly in the run-in, losing their final four games and picking up just one point from their last five matches. ABC News Australia reports the lead was 14 points with five rounds remaining, though the outlets agree on the 12-point advantage at its peak. Dalian capitalised on Chengdu's decline with five consecutive wins.

In the final match, Chengdu found themselves two goals down within 25 minutes when Raphael Merkies and Guilherme Madruga scored. Felipe Silva pulled one back before Cryzan restored Shandong's two-goal lead in the 63rd minute. Wellington Silva's goal with 11 minutes remaining gave Chengdu hope, but they could not find an equaliser.

Manager John Aloisi had been expected to deliver a title in his first season at the club. The BBC notes the collapse ranks among the worst in football history, comparable to Newcastle United's surrender of a 12-point lead to Manchester United in 1995-96. ABC News Australia reports that Aloisi declined to discuss whether he would resign following the capitulation.

How it is being reported

• Coach Aloisi oversees stunning capitulation in Chinese Super League title raceNeeding just one point from its final four games to claim the CSL crown, coach Aloisi's Chengdu Rongcheng loses every game and blows a 14-point lead in the run home.ABC News Australia · 9 Nov, 02:12
• Chengdu blow 12-point lead to miss out on Chinese titleChengdu Rongcheng lose their final four matches of the season to give up a 12-point lead and throw away the Chinese Super League title.BBC Sport · 8 Nov, 14:41
• John Aloisi’s Chengdu choke to blow title chances on final day of Chinese seasonChengdu lose their final four games to give up a 12-point lead Dalian Yingbo FC claim title on drama-laden day in China John Aloisi’s Chengdu Rongcheng let the Chinese Super League title slip from their grasp on the last day of the season, losing their fourth consecutive game as rivals Dalian Yingbo pipped them to the trophy following their fifth straight win. Dalian completed a remarkable comeback by overhauling Chengdu’s lead, which once stood at 12 points, with Aloisi’s side picking up just one point in their last five matches. On the league’s final day, Chengdu lost 3-2 to Shandong…Guardian Sport · 8 Nov, 10:10

In this story: John Aloisi · Chengdu Rongcheng · Dalian Yingbo · Shandong Taishan · Tianjin Tiger · Wellington Silva · Li Guozu · China

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log