Chengdu suffered a historic collapse in the Chinese Super League after blowing a 12-point lead on the final day of the season. John Aloisi’s side fell to a 3-2 defeat against Shandong Taishan, which allowed Dalian to snatch the championship trophy. However, the dramatic finale capped off a terrible run of form that left fans and pundits stunned. Meanwhile, the team managed just one point from their last five matches to throw away the title.
- Chengdu lost 3-2 to Shandong Taishan on the final day.
- Dalian secured the championship with a 3-1 victory over Tianjin Tiger.
- Both teams finished level on 52 points at the top.
- Dalian claimed the trophy via a superior head-to-head record.
Match Drama and Final Day Chaos
Earlier, Chengdu only needed a single point to seal the championship. However, they found themselves two goals down within the opening 25 minutes of the match. Raphael Merkies and Guilherme Madruga struck early to put Shandong in firm control. Later, Felipe Silva pulled one back for the visiting side before Cryzan restored the two-goal cushion. Although Wellington Silva scored with eleven minutes remaining, the equaliser never arrived.
Eventually, Dalian capitalised on the slip-up with a crucial win of their own. Yang Mingrui opened the scoring inside five minutes before Xadas levelled from the penalty spot. Later, Liao Jintao and Huang Shan added further goals to seal the remarkable triumph. Because of this win, Dalian completed a stunning turnaround to win the league.
Historic Collapse in the Chinese Super League
Eventually, this title race collapse will rank among the worst meltdowns in football history. Previously, famous English sides like Newcastle United and Manchester United also surrendered massive advantages. However, losing a 12-point cushion at this stage of a campaign remains exceptionally rare. Therefore, manager John Aloisi faces massive scrutiny following the dreadful finish to the season.
Consequently, the club missed out on lifting the prestigious Li Guozu trophy. Fans expected the team to cruise over the finish line after dominating the standings for months. As a result, the historic choke will be remembered for years to come across the sport. Ultimately, Dalian claimed the ultimate prize after showing superior composure when it mattered most.
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