In the just-concluded matches, Qingdao Hainiu suffered an unexpected loss, while Sichuan Jiuniu and Shijiazhuang Kungfu managed to bounce back. Despite Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic's defeat, the gap between them and the top teams is still not obvious. With these four teams currently on similar points, the battle for the third Super League spot this season is a four-way race. It remains to be seen which team has a stronger desire to reach the Super League and which team will face new challenges.
Meanwhile, the competition in the relegation zone is equally white-hot, with several teams facing severe relegation pressure. Beijing Institute of Technology seems indifferent to the relegation places, while Xinjiang Tianshan Snow Leopard's situation is worrisome and seems to be heading for a fourth replacement return. Liaoning Shenyang City and Beijing Beitian University are in even more dire crisis, while Shanghai Jiading Huilong, Guangxi Pingguo Hazhong and Jiangxi Beidamen are also facing the threat of relegation.
In the three matches on Sept. 17, Kunshan defeated Youth Island 2-0 to remain undefeated, Suzhou Dongwu won 1-0 against Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic, while Xinjiang Tianshan Snow Leopard suffered a shutout and was unlucky to see its 15th consecutive loss.
Qingdao Youth Island fell to Kunshan 0-2 in the marquee match. Kunshan scored in the 25th and 58th minutes by Feng Bo Yuan to seal the win. The win lifted Kunshan to second place in the standings, with a bright future for the Super League. Youth Island, on the other hand, despite the defeat, is under little relegation pressure and has entered the stage of no desire.
In the match between Suzhou Dongwu and Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic, the two sides exchanged a scoreless draw in the first half. In the second half, both teams went on the offensive, and Suzhou Dongwu scored in the 51st minute with a goal by Men Yang to win 1-0. Shaanxi was unable to break the deadlock despite an all-out attack, widening the gap with third-place Qingdao Hainiu to five points.
In the match between Xinjiang Tianshan Snow Leopard and Zibo Cuju, Tianshan Snow Leopard conceded the first goal in the 14th minute. Despite having a man sent off in the 37th minute, Xinjiang rallied in the second half to equalize in the 54th minute. However, Zibo Cuju added a second goal in the final moments of the game, and Tianshan Snow Leopard ended up losing 1-2, continuing to suffer a 15-game losing streak.
