Reported by Chen Yong No one anticipated this outcome: In the closing stages of the game, Qingdao Hainiu had several chances to score but failed each time, including a shot striking the post in the 100th minute and a rebound being saved. Yet, the final corner kick led to an own goal by Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, enabling Qingdao Hainiu to astonishingly level the score.

The 1-1 result undoubtedly harmed both teams at the bottom of the standings. For Qingdao Hainiu playing away, securing one point was naturally acceptable. This weekend, the more crucial Qingdao derby is approaching.

Two posts "exchange" for one goal

In this match, Qingdao Hainiu fielded only four foreign players: center-back Angelkovic, midfielder Ejuma, right winger Yeboa, and striker Strandberg. Mesaudy missed the game due to injury. Over the five rounds played so far, Qingdao Hainiu started with five foreigners in three matches and four in two. Striker Strandberg, winger Yeboa, and center-back Angelkovic played every game, while Mesaudy and Ejuma each missed one.

Just 10 minutes into the game, Qingdao Hainiu hit the post. Ejuma received a through pass at the edge of the box, turned suddenly, and fired a shot that struck the post and bounced back, unfortunately failing to score. Qingdao Hainiu truly felt pressure in the second half, especially after 60 minutes, as Tianjin Jinmen Tiger repeatedly created threatening attacks. In the 77th minute, Qingdao Hainiu finally conceded a goal.

After conceding, Qingdao Hainiu launched a frantic counterattack. Just two minutes later, Jin Yonghao was stepped on by Huang Jiahui. After VAR intervention, the referee changed the decision, penalizing Huang Jiahui with a red card, giving Qingdao Hainiu an 11 vs 10 advantage. Qingdao Hainiu had many attacks in the final stages: a direct free kick in the 89th minute, a long-range shot in the 94th minute, a ball sliding past the goal in the 97th minute, hitting the post in the 100th minute, and a follow-up shot being desperately blocked by Tianjin Jinmen Tiger. Just as Tianjin fans thought it was merely a scare, Qingdao Hainiu's last-minute corner kick miraculously caused Tianjin Jinmen Tiger's own goal, allowing Qingdao Hainiu to equalize.

It must be said that the law of conservation of luck once again played its role. Qingdao Hainiu twice hit the post without scoring, but the final corner kick resulted in Tianjin Jinmen Tiger's own goal. Looking at the overall match dynamics, Qingdao Hainiu had a 52.8% possession rate, a shot ratio of 12 to 2, a shots-on-target ratio of 5 to 2, and a corner ratio of 5 to 2. With such clear statistical dominance, earning one point was justified.

The Qingdao derby cannot afford any loss

Currently, after five rounds, Qingdao Hainiu has one win, one draw, and three losses. Starting the season with a 7-point deduction, their current points are -3, ranking second-to-last in the standings. Naturally, the bottom team is Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, their opponent in this match, who were deducted 10 points before the season. In the first five rounds of the Chinese Super League, they have two draws and three losses without a win, currently at -8 points.

Compared to teams above, Qingdao Hainiu trails Wuhan Three Towns (ranked 14th with -1 points) by only 2 points, naturally seeing hope. However, among the lower-ranked teams, five are contenders for the championship: Shandong Taishan with 3 points, Zhejiang Club with 2 points, Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port with 1 point each, and Beijing Guoan with -1 point. In the lower half of the standings, only Henan Club Citaofang has 1 point. Besides, Qingdao West Coast, like Qingdao Hainiu, also has one win, one draw, and three losses, but without point deductions, they have 4 points, leading Qingdao Hainiu by 7 points. Further ahead is Shenzhen New Peng City with two wins and three losses, their points are 6, currently leading Qingdao Hainiu by a significant 9 points.

In other words, excluding championship-contending teams, Qingdao Hainiu's point gaps with Wuhan Three Towns, Henan, Qingdao West Coast, and Shenzhen New Peng City are 2, 4, 7, and 9 points respectively, which are not easily closed gaps. For Qingdao Hainiu, the situation remains tough, and every subsequent match is crucial. This Friday, Qingdao Hainiu will face Qingdao West Coast in the Qingdao derby.

Although Qingdao West Coast and Qingdao Hainiu both have one win, one draw, and three losses, without point deductions, Qingdao West Coast currently holds a substantial 7-point advantage over Qingdao Hainiu. For Qingdao Hainiu, the advantage is that this Qingdao derby somewhat offers a home-field benefit. More importantly, to win the match, having a full set of foreign players is crucial, and whether Mesaudy can return is worth attention.