The match between Qingdao and Zhejiang took center stage in the first round of the 2021 Chinese Super League Central League Elevation Playoffs. With Frank's first-half goal, Zhejiang beat Qingdao 1-0 to grab the first promotion qualification.
After 22 rounds of the Chinese Super League, Qingdao ranked 16th with 3 wins, 2 draws and 17 losses, and had to fight for relegation through the elevation playoffs. Zhejiang, on the other hand, won 22, drew 8 and lost 4 out of 34 matches and ranked third in the Central League, thus qualifying for the promotion and relegation playoffs.
The game was full of exciting moments. In the 13th minute, Nguyen Che Thang created a foul on the right, but Zhou Junchen's free kick was cleared by the opponent. In the 17th minute, Matthews was put down by Liu Jian, and the free kick to the front point was taken by Liu Jian to the bottom line. In the 19th minute, Cheng Jin broke through on the left and caused a foul on Wang Wei, but the free kick into the penalty area was also cleared by the opponent.
In the 26th minute, Frank was fouled by Liu Jiaxun when he broke through in the middle of the road, Cheng Jin took the free kick to the back of the penalty area, but it was still cleared by the opponent. In the 30th minute, Matthews sent a diagonal pass after advancing on the right road, Gaudi shot from a small angle on the right side of the penalty area, Li Zhizhao couldn't save the ball from going far, Frank followed up with a supplementary shot, Zhejiang team led 1-0. In the second half, the two sides started a fierce confrontation, but in the end, Zhejiang team won 1-0.
Qingdao: goalkeeper Li Zhizhao (U23); defenders Zhu Ting, Liu Jiaxun (75' Li Peng), Liu Jian, Wang Wei (67' Zhu Jianrong), Zou Zheng; midfielders Lv Peng, Badu, Ruan Chexiang (46' Ji Snu Xuan), Zhou Junchen (U23); forward Wang Hao.
Zhejiang: goalkeeper Gu Chao; defenders Yue Xin, Liang Nuoheng, Sun Zheng Ao, Gao Tianyi (U23) (75' Yi Xianlong (U23)); midfielders Zhong Haoran, Gu Bin, Frank, Cheng Jin (91' Wang Zhen); strikers Gao Di (75' Dong Yu), Matthews (85 'Mu Xiekui').
