Wu Lei (L) of Shanghai Port in action in the Chinese Super League match against Shandong Taishan on Oct. 29, 2023. (Xinhua)
Shanghai Port clinched their second Chinese Super League title with one match still to play.
BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Port held Shandong Taishan to a 1-1 draw in a bad-tempered match to clinch their second Chinese Super League (CSL) title on Sunday with one round remaining.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Zhang Linpeng's cross released Lyu Wenjun to side-foot home.
Shanghai had led Shandong by five points at the top of the table prior to the duel, and it was no surprise that the match brimmed with an insense atmosphere.
A physical altercation erupted before halftime between Chen Pu and Lyu as they vied for position inside the penalty area.
The clash quickly escalated into a brawl and Shanghai's Lyu, Cai Huikang, and head coach Javier Pereira were given their marching orders, while Shandong's Moises also received a red card, and Chen was shown a yellow card.
A scuffle broke out again when Shanghai's Li Shuai brought down Fei Nanduo in the 75th minute, prompting the Shandong forward to retaliate by pushing Li to the ground. Fei received a red card, thus reducing both sides to nine players.
Despite Xie Wenneng's 89th-minute equalizer, Shandong failed to score a winner to keep their title hope alive.
Shenzhen FC, who had already been relegated to the second tier, continued their slump this season in a 1-0 loss to Wuhan Three Towns.
Nantong Zhiyun and Dalian Pro, tied on 19 points ahead of Saturday's games, are involved in heated competition to avoid relegation.
Nantong notched an impressive 4-0 victory away to Meizhou Hakka, while Dalian managed a 2-2 draw against Qingdao Hainiu. Nantong sit third from the bottom, two points ahead of Dalian.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Tianjin Jinmen Tigers drew with Shanghai Shenhua 1-1, Zhejiang FC smashed Cangzhou Mighty Lions 6-1, Henan FC tied with Changchun Yatai 1-1, and Chengdu Rongcheng overcame Beijing Guoan 3-2.
After Shanghai Port's championship win, all eyes are on the battle to avoid relegation in next Saturday's season finale, with Nantong facing off against Tianjin, and Dalian playing against Shanghai Port at home. ■
