CSL: Chongqing hold Jiangsu 1-1 draw, Qingdao and Guangzhou end goalless
CGTN

Thanks to Alan Kardec's goal in the 73th minute, the biggest dark horse of the Chinese Super League (CSL) this season Chongqing Lifan held Jiangsu Suning 1-1 in their first-leg tie in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Monday.

Both sides will play the second leg this Saturday with the winner advancing to the semifinals. The loser will play two more playoffs to decide their final position of the coronavirus-affected season.

The game between Chongqing Lifan and Jiangsu Suning in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, October 19, 2020. /VCG

The game between Chongqing Lifan and Jiangsu Suning in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, October 19, 2020. /VCG

Meanwhile, Qingdao Huanghai held Guangzhou R&F to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the two-game relegation playoffs in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. 

Both sides had few chances in the tedious match. Qingdao only had one shot hit the target while the Guangzhou side got two shots on target. 

In the 78th minute, Ye Chugui knocked in a round for Guangzhou R&F, but the goal was disallowed due to offside after checking the VAR. 

"We didn't create good chances in offense, but we played tough defense following the coach's plan. The draw is a good result for us. We will focus on the second leg and try our best for the fans," said Qingdao's young striker Zhou Junchen. 

The two sides will meet in the second leg on Saturday.  

The 16 CSL sides were split into two groups in the first phase between July 22 and September 28, playing in a round-robin format in Dalian and Suzhou respectively.

The top four teams from each group in the first phase gathered in Suzhou to vie for the title between October 16 and November 12.

(With input from Xinhua)