Shanghai Port stumble in CSL title chase after draw at home against Tianjin

Two-time defending champions Shanghai Port squandered a golden opportunity to reclaim the top spot in the Chinese Super League standings, settling for a 1-1 draw at home against Tianjin Jinmen Tiger.

The match got underway with the side from Shanghai asserting their dominance early. In the 11th minute, Liu Ruofan was fouled in the box by Wang Xianjun, earning a penalty kick for Port. Gabrielzinho stepped up to take the shot, sending goalkeeper Yan Bingliang the wrong way to notch his ninth CSL goal of the season and put the hosts ahead 1-0.

But Tianjin remained undeterred, actively pressing for an equalizer. The visiting squad's persistence paid off just before halftime, when Cristian Salvador threaded a precise through ball to Alberto Quiles. The Jinmen Tiger forward deftly maneuvered around defender Wei Zhen before slotting the ball past Port goalkeeper Yan Junling in the 43rd minute, leveling the match at 1-1.

Despite a spirited second half, neither team could find the back of the net again, and the contest ended in a stalemate. The draw left Shanghai Port in second place with 48 points, just one behind city rivals Shanghai Shenhua, while Tianjin Jinmen Tiger remain seventh.