Match Report
Guangzhou Evergrande, 1st with 77 points, sat 46 points above Qingdao Hainiu (15th, 31). Qingdao Hainiu ranked 7th in the league on five-round form, well above their 15th table position. Scoring rates set the scale: Guangzhou Evergrande 2.6 scored and 0.6 conceded per game, Qingdao Hainiu 0.87 and 1.37, with the league averaging 1.32.
Four consecutive defeats weighed on Qingdao Hainiu. Over the last five, Guangzhou Evergrande had taken 12 of 15 points to Qingdao Hainiu's 1.
Tianhe Stadium in Canton staged the fixture, a ground that holds 60,151. On the scoreboard, Guangzhou Evergrande led 2-0 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 3-1.