Chongqing Tonglianglong Beat Qingdao Hainiu 2-0 with Home Clean Sheet
Chongqing Tonglianglong secured a solid 2-0 victory over Qingdao Hainiu in the Chinese Super League on Saturday, 24 October 2026. Goals in either half, combined with a disciplined defensive display, gave the home side three important points and a clean sheet in front of their supporters.
Qingdao Hainiu saw plenty of the ball, especially after falling behind, but struggled to break down a compact and well-organized Chongqing side. The result underlined Chongqing’s growing confidence at home and left Qingdao with questions to answer in the final third.
Match overview
Chongqing Tonglianglong began the match with a clear plan: stay compact, deny central spaces, and attack through set pieces and quick transitions. They nearly opened the scoring in the 12th minute when a corner caused confusion in the Qingdao box, but the visitors cleared the danger.
The breakthrough came in the 31st minute. Chongqing won another corner, and Zhou Peng rose highest at the near post to power a header into the net. It was a goal that rewarded the home side’s aggressive approach from dead-ball situations and gave them a platform to protect.
Qingdao Hainiu responded by increasing their possession and pushing their full-backs higher. They created a half-chance just before half-time from a free-kick, but the effort sailed over the crossbar. Chongqing’s goalkeeper was called into action early in the second half, making a sharp save at his near post to preserve the lead.
The decisive second goal arrived in the 74th minute. Chongqing won the ball in midfield and moved it quickly to substitute He Chuan, who drove into the box and placed a low finish beyond the goalkeeper. The goal came against the run of possession but perfectly matched the home side’s game plan.
Qingdao continued to probe in the final stages, but Chongqing’s back four stayed disciplined. A late header from a corner was cleared off the line, and the home side managed the closing minutes professionally to secure all three points.
Key moments
- 31st minute: Zhou Peng heads Chongqing Tonglianglong into a 1-0 lead from a corner.
- 45+1st minute: Qingdao Hainiu waste a free-kick opportunity from a promising position.
- 52nd minute: Chongqing’s goalkeeper makes a strong near-post save to deny Qingdao an equaliser.
- 74th minute: Substitute He Chuan doubles the lead with a low finish.
- 88th minute: Chongqing clear a late corner to protect their clean sheet.
Tactical story
Chongqing Tonglianglong set up in a compact 4-4-2 and were happy to concede possession in harmless areas. Their midfield stayed narrow, forcing Qingdao Hainiu to play around them rather than through them. When Qingdao did find space on the flanks, Chongqing’s centre-backs dealt well with crosses and second balls.
Qingdao’s 4-2-3-1 shape gave them control of the ball, but they lacked penetration in the final third. Their attacking players often received the ball with their backs to goal, and Chongqing’s midfielders were quick to close down shooting angles. The home side’s set-piece threat was the clear difference in the first half, while their counter-attacking quality sealed the result in the second.
Chongqing’s substitution also proved influential. He Chuan’s fresh legs and direct running gave the Qingdao defence a different problem to solve, and his goal came from exactly the kind of quick transition the home side had been looking for all afternoon.
Standout performers
Zhou Peng was excellent for Chongqing Tonglianglong, scoring the opening goal and winning several important aerial duels. He Chuan made an immediate impact from the bench, while the Chongqing goalkeeper and centre-back pairing deserve credit for a well-earned clean sheet.
For Qingdao Hainiu, the midfield worked hard to keep the ball moving, but the attacking line lacked a decisive edge. Their best player was probably their goalkeeper, who made several saves to prevent the scoreline from becoming more comfortable for Chongqing.
What it means
The win gives Chongqing Tonglianglong a valuable three points and strengthens their position in the Chinese Super League table. A clean sheet at home will be especially pleasing for the coaching staff, as it shows the team can win even without dominating possession.
Qingdao Hainiu, meanwhile, remain under pressure to improve their attacking output. They had enough of the ball to take something from the game but failed to create clear chances when it mattered. In a tightly packed league, turning possession into goals will be essential if they are to move away from the lower reaches of the standings.

