Reporter Lu Mi reports On the evening of the 18th, with the wind blowing at Jinzhou Stadium, Chongqing Tonglianglong’s captain Xiang Yuwang broke out just in time, delivering a brace that not only ended Dalian Kunchen’s advantage but also marked the full recovery of this homegrown forward. From trailing 0-1 to equalizing and then overturning to 2-1, Chongqing Tonglianglong secured a comeback victory that keeps their promotion hopes alive, while Xiang Yuwang’s resurgence has given the Mountain City fans renewed confidence for the final three rounds.

Mushekwi proves his strength indeed

The away game against Dalian Kunchen was seen as the toughest test for Tonglianglong in the final stretch, possibly a critical hurdle. On one hand, the opponent is fiercely competitive, especially at home; on the other, their foreign striker Mushekwi posed a significant threat. Overcoming Dalian Kunchen would clarify Tonglianglong’s path to promotion.

From the start, both sides played cautiously, knowing neither had absolute control. The game saw ups and downs, with Tonglianglong immediately facing danger from their opponent’s top scorer Mushekwi. As expected, after 40 minutes of stalemate, Mushekwi broke through Tonglianglong’s defense. Despite falling behind, Tonglianglong stayed composed and steadily pushed forward. In stoppage time of the first half, captain Xiang Yuwang stepped up to equalize. In the second half, Chongqing Tonglianglong remained aggressive, and at the 79th minute, Xiang Yuwang again received a pass on the left side and unleashed a stunning strike, securing a key victory in their promotion battle against Dalian Kunchen.

18 goals, defending the title of top local scorer

This comeback victory also symbolizes Xiang Yuwang’s rise from a slump. His downturn began recently during the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, where as a main striker for the Olympic team, he started in group matches but missed multiple excellent chances. Afterward, criticism flooded in, labeling him as “soft-footed” and “absent in big games,” casting doubt on the value of this top local scorer in China League One. Returning from the national team to the league, Xiang Yuwang and Chongqing Tonglianglong entered a rough patch. A three-game losing streak in September led to coach Salvador’s dismissal. In a direct clash with promotion rival Guangzhou Baobao, Xiang Yuwang missed a penalty, resulting in a 0-1 loss and intensifying public criticism. The overwhelming backlash almost suffocated him and raised concerns about whether he could withstand the pressure.

Xiang Yuwang has overcome it. He stated that he never forgot his mission and, after a brief adjustment, committed fully to the league. In the recent three consecutive wins, he scored in every match. In this game against Dalian Kunchen, Xiang Yuwang completed his redemption with two difficult goals: a close-range flick in first-half stoppage time after receiving a cross from the right wing, showing his sharp instincts by shooting before the defender could react; and a world-class strike at the 79th minute from the edge of the box, a one-touch shot that rocketed in just inside the post. With three straight scoring games and his season tally reaching 18, he not only set a personal best but also silenced all doubts. The fearless local striker king is back!

Final 3 rounds, holding a 2.5-point advantage

Looking at the remaining schedule, Chongqing Tonglianglong has two home games and one away, giving them a clear fixture advantage, though opponents shouldn’t be underestimated. The two home rivals, Shijiazhuang Kungfu and Suzhou Dongwu, are strong competitors. Currently fifth, Shijiazhuang Kungfu is formidable; in their first meeting, Tonglianglong lost 1-3, and last season’s matches saw each team win at home. Suzhou Dongwu and the last opponent, Shanghai Jiading Huilong, sit in the lower half of the table, with Tonglianglong having beaten them 3-1 and 4-0 respectively in the first half of the season.

Guangzhou Baobao also has two home matches and one away in their last three games, facing Shaanxi United and Nantong Zhiyun at home, and Qingdao Red Lions away. Despite Guangzhou Baobao’s recent hot form—seven wins and one draw in the last eight rounds—they still trail Tonglianglong by two points. Tonglianglong holds the upper hand in head-to-head results, effectively giving them a 2.5-point lead, equivalent to having a buffer of one draw.