Shandong Taishan shock Shanghai Port as CSL title race heats up

The Chinese Super League provided a reminder that title races are best served turbulent: leaders Shanghai Port were upset 3–1 by Shandong Taishan, while Chengdu Rongcheng squandered a chance to overtake the summit by settling for a 2–2 draw away at Qingdao West Coast. The result leaves Shanghai Port top on 60 points, Chengdu second just one point behind, and Shandong sitting fifth.

Shanghai's night began well. In the eighth minute Liu Ruofan delivered a neat assist for Li Xinxiao, who tapped home to give the hosts an early lead. But Shandong grew into the game and levelled on the stroke of half‑time. Valeri Qazaishvili, the Georgian forward, sneaked in a low drive in the 41st minute to make it 1–1.

The second half saw the visitors tighten up and turn the game. In the 62nd minute Zeca fed Liu Yang, who finished to put Taishan ahead. Qazaishvili completed his brace in the 77th minute, sealing a 3–1 win that left Shanghai rueing a defence that looked vulnerable when probed.

Meanwhile in Qingdao, Chengdu's opportunity to leapfrog Port evaporated in a match that unfolded like a classic counterattack lesson. Qingdao took the lead around the half‑hour mark when Davidson punished a visitors' mistake to open the scoring, and he doubled the advantage in the 57th minute after a rapid counter.  

Chengdu fought back: Felipe Sousa headed one back in the 68th minute, and then, late on, Sousa was again at the centre of the drama, bundled home a chaotic finish in the box to salvage a 2–2 draw.

With only two games to go, Shanghai Port keep the lead, but only just. Chengdu remain in hot pursuit, and Shandong, buoyed by Qazaishvili's brace, have a snapshot of form that could prove crucial as the season reaches its final turns.