Dalian Huayi vs Chongqing Tongliang Long Match Recap - Oct 18, 2025

Chongqing Tongliang Long Rally Late to Sink Dalian Huayi, Strengthen League One Title Chase

A brisk October afternoon at Dalian Sports Center Stadium delivered a contest that lived up to its billing: high stakes, shifting fortunes, and a result that left both clubs facing sharply divergent run-ins to the League One season’s final sprint. Chongqing Tongliang Long, buoyed by a timely resurgence in form, overcame a first-half deficit to defeat Dalian Huayi 2-1, consolidating their grip on second place while nudging their hosts further off the promotion pace.

Dalian, desperate to reverse a worrying October slide, began with urgency—their midfield snapping into duels, pressing for any early weakness in Chongqing’s back line. The reward for their industry arrived in the 40th minute, a familiar script for home supporters. Veteran striker Nyasha Mushekwi—whose predatory instincts remain the heartbeat of Dalian’s attack—timed his run perfectly, latching onto a slid pass inside the penalty arc. With a swift turn, Mushekwi unleashed a low drive beyond the outstretched goalkeeper, notching his eleventh league goal and offering Dalian brief hope of extracting themselves from their recent malaise.

But the margins separating the mid-table from the League One elite are razor-thin, and today’s contest proved no exception. Rather than wither, Chongqing responded with the cool assurance of a side on the ascent. On the stroke of halftime, a fluid, one-touch exchange carved open Dalian’s right flank. Chongqing’s unnamed forward capped the move with a sharp finish that silenced the stands and restored parity just moments before intermission. What could have been a platform for Dalian to steady themselves became instead a psychological blow—striking as momentum seemed to tip their way.

For Dalian, memories of recent heartbreaks were quick to resurface. Just a week prior, they had surrendered a lead at home to Shanghai Jiading, ultimately losing by the same 2-1 scoreline. Sandwiched between that defeat and today’s, a win at Shenzhen Juniors seemed to signal a revival, but October’s chill has coincided with a pattern of late concessions and missed opportunities for Zhao Junzhe’s side. Now, on the heels of back-to-back defeats and only one win in five, Dalian’s status as dark horses for promotion is fast slipping into the rearview mirror.

Chongqing, meanwhile, entered the day with wind at their backs. Their recent upturn—punctuated by a tidy 2-0 win over Dongguan United—had erased the sting of a three-game losing skid in September. Today’s comeback win was a testament to their growing confidence and adaptability. Throughout the second half, they tightened defensively and probed patiently. As the clock ticked into the closing quarter, Chongqing’s pressure finally tolled. In the 79th minute, another incisive run—again finished clinically by their dynamic attack—tilted the balance for good. Dalian’s defensive frailties, exposed once more, proved decisive.

What followed was an inevitable Dalian push, but Chongqing’s discipline and shape rarely wavered. Despite a late flurry of corners and hopeful crosses, the visitors managed the final minutes with professional poise, preserving the lead and all but ensuring a vital three points would make the journey back to Chongqing.

The wider implications are unmistakable. With the win, Chongqing Tongliang Long climb to 52 points after 27 matches (16W-4D-7L), keeping the pressure on the league leaders and solidifying their claim to an automatic promotion place. Dalian Huayi, stuck on 41 points (11W-8D-8L) and marooned in sixth, face a daunting climb—the playoff spots now slipping out of reach as rivals surge.

As for their recent head-to-head, this latest victory tilts the balance further in Chongqing’s favor, echoing their march up the table. For Dalian, the defeat crystallizes a challenging stretch—one where promising moments have too often given way to late lapses. Their ability to reverse this trend over the final weeks may well define whether their campaign is remembered for promise or frustration.

Looking ahead, the stakes could hardly be clearer. Dalian must regroup, rediscovering the defensive organization and attacking spark that saw them threaten the league’s best earlier in the season. For Chongqing, today’s performance serves as both a statement of intent and a rallying call; with promotion tantalizingly close, every point is precious, every margin decisive. As autumn deepens, League One’s drama intensifies, and on this evidence, neither the title race nor the battle for the playoff berths is close to resolution.