Chinese Super League Round 26: Dalian Yingbo Surge to Second, Guoan Held to Draw, AFC Champions League Qualification Race Reignited!

On the evening of September 5, 2026, the four matches of Chinese Super League Round 26 created a spectacular football feast, with major changes occurring in the standings. Dalian Yingbo defeated Qingdao Hainiu 2-1, increasing their points tally to 40 and jumping from fourth to second place. Beijing Guoan drew 0-0 with Shanghai Port at Pudong Football Stadium, remaining on 38 points and falling to third. Qingdao West Coast drew 2-2 with Wuhan Three Towns and also had 38 points, but ranked fourth due to goal difference. The AFC Champions League qualification battle has changed rapidly, with five teams competing increasingly fiercely in the standings.

Dalian Yingbo: A Newly Promoted Team's Comeback as a Dark Horse

Focusing on Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium, the match kicked off at 19:35 Beijing time. Dalian Yingbo faced Qingdao Hainiu, and the focus of the game was not on tactics but on successive mistakes by the two goalkeepers. In the 10th minute, Achimpen and Stanciu's excellent combination tore apart Hainiu's defense, and Stanciu scored with a powerful low-angle shot to give Yingbo a dream start. Later, Qingdao Hainiu goalkeeper Liu Weiguo made an error, allowing the ball to slip into the net under his arm as Hainiu equalized. The highlight came in first-half stoppage time, when Luo Jing's shot helped Yingbo regain the lead due to Hainiu goalkeeper Mou Pengfei's misjudgment. In the end, Dalian Yingbo secured a 2-1 victory, with a season record of 12 wins, 4 draws, and 10 losses, 40 points, 38 goals scored and 42 conceded. Although their goal difference was negative, they still secured a place among the contenders for second place.

Guoan and Port: The Frustration of a Draw

Meanwhile, at Pudong Football Stadium, the match between Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Port was regarded as a preview of the FA Cup semifinal, but the result was disappointing. Throughout the match, Port took 21 shots but was unable to break the deadlock. With foreign players unavailable, Guoan could only field one foreign player, Ramos, and the head coach set up a 5-4-1 defensive formation. Although Guoan performed well defensively, goalkeeper Hou Sen's five key saves kept a clean sheet, but the draw made their position in the second-place race more difficult.

West Coast and Three Towns: A Dramatic Draw

In another match, the contest between Wuhan Three Towns and Qingdao West Coast was full of drama. West Coast took the lead just three minutes after kickoff, but Three Towns quickly responded by scoring two goals to turn the game around. However, West Coast received a red card in the 62nd minute and had to play with ten men. In a difficult situation, Davidson equalized with a spectacular free kick, and the two teams eventually drew 2-2. The draw kept West Coast unbeaten among the second-place contenders, but their difficulty in securing wins put them at a disadvantage in the AFC Champions League qualification race.

Standings Changes and an Intensifying Race

After this round of matches, the changes in the standings attracted widespread attention. Chengdu Rongcheng remained at the top with 51 points and would have a chance to win the title if they achieve another victory in upcoming matches. Among the teams competing for AFC Champions League qualification, Dalian Yingbo's 40 points made them a dark horse, while Beijing Guoan and Qingdao West Coast each had 38 points. Shandong Taishan and Yunnan Yukun followed closely, creating a five-team battle with a maximum points gap of only five.

Such a tense competitive situation is uncommon in Chinese Super League history, especially near the end of the season, when any match could determine a team's fate. Dalian Yingbo's success was not accidental; their strong home performances, bursts of individual quality from foreign players, and opponents' mistakes all contributed to their victory. Although Beijing Guoan drew away against Port, securing one point despite missing foreign players can still be considered a gain.

Future Uncertainties and Expectations

As the season progresses, the battle for AFC Champions League qualification is becoming increasingly intense. Dalian Yingbo's performance as a newly promoted team has drawn attention, while whether Guoan's foreign players return will be key to determining if they can rebound. Qingdao West Coast's tendency toward draws needs improvement, otherwise it will be difficult for them to remain competitive. How each team adjusts tactics and handles challenges in upcoming matches will be the focus of fans' attention. The excitement of the Chinese Super League continues, and every change in the standings will affect the future direction.