Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Sichuan 1st with 69 points, Nanjing City 5th with 49, 20 apart. Recent form told a different story for Nanjing City: only 13th in the league over the last five rounds despite sitting 5th. In league terms the two rates read 1.13/0.73 for Nanjing City and 1.7/0.63 for Sichuan (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.13.
Momentum sat with Sichuan, winners of their last 11, having scored in 11 consecutive games. Recent form was uneven: 8/15 points for Nanjing City, 15/15 for Sichuan.
The match was played at Hengli Soccer Town #9 Soccerpitch in Dongguan (capacity 12,000). On the scoreboard, it was 0-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 0-1.