In the 22nd round of the 2021 Central League, a number of exciting matches were played from September 16th to 18th. Wuhan climbed to second place in the table with a 3-1 win over Zibo; Sichuan and Kunshan drew 1-1 to finish in the middle and lower reaches of the table; and Nantong beat Xinjiang by a 3-0 margin. Earlier, Heilongjiang ended Chengdu's 15-round unbeaten streak with a 2-1 win, Zhejiang won 1-0 over Nanjing, Guizhou and Beitian University exchanged a 0-0 draw, Shaanxi won 2-0 over Beitian University of Science and Technology, Meizhou continued to lead the pack with a 3-1 reversal of Gusu, and Jiangxi beat Liaozhu 1-0.
In the match between Sichuan Jiuniu and Kunshan FC, both sides ended up shaking hands 1-1. Kunshan has 34 points with 8 wins, 10 draws and 4 losses, temporarily ahead of Sichuan's 31 points with 7 wins, 10 draws and 5 losses. In the 44th minute of the match, Kunshan got a corner kick opportunity, Liu Yuhao forced the defender to score a header to give Kunshan a 1-0 lead. In the 77th minute, Sichuan won a free kick in front of the field, Ruan Jun punished to the penalty area, Xia Dalong header was parried out, but Zhang Jiaqi supplemented the score to equalize the score to 1-1.
Wuhan Sanzhen moved into second place with 49 points from 15 wins, four draws and three losses after a 3-1 win over Zibo Cuju, while Zibo has 16 points from three wins, seven draws and 12 losses. Wuhan took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute when Sang Yifei headed in a cross from the right. In the 22nd minute, Zibo's Nan Yunqi inverted the golden hook broke the goal, equalizing the score to 1-1. 53rd minute, Wuhan was awarded a penalty kick, Yin Yagi a cue, Wuhan 2-1 lead. In the 71st minute, Rong Hao crossed from the right and Malcolm pushed the ball into the goal to extend Wuhan's advantage 3-1.
Nantong Zhiyun accumulated 37 points with 11 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses after a 0-3 thrashing of Xinjiang Tianshan Snow Leopard, while Xinjiang is at the bottom of the table with 7 points from 1 win, 4 draws and 17 losses. Nantong took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute when Correa scored easily inside the penalty area. In the 77th minute, Correa scored twice to give Nantong a 2-0 lead. In the 79th minute, Nantong won a free kick in front of the field, Chagas scored directly on goal, Nantong 3-0 lead.
Zhejiang beat Nanjing City 1-0 to accumulate 48 points with 14 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses, while Nanjing accumulated 25 points with 6 wins, 7 draws and 9 losses. In the 70th minute, Nanjing's Matthews was sent off with a red card for a tactical foul, leaving the field with 10 men. In stoppage time, Cheng Jin sent a direct ball and Mu Xiekui pushed the ball into the goal, giving Zhejiang a 1-0 lead.
Heilongjiang Bingcheng ended Chengdu's 15-round unbeaten streak with a 2-1 win over Chengdu Rongcheng. Heilongjiang accumulated 37 points with 10 wins, 7 draws and 5 losses, while Chengdu accumulated 48 points with 14 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses. In the 38th minute, Heilongjiang's Li Shuai made a long pass, Pan Yuchen passed diagonally, and Evolo fired a shot to give Heilongjiang a 1-0 lead. In the 50th minute, Pan Yuchen direct pass, Yan Peng hit the far corner of the goal, Heilongjiang 2-0 lead. In the 55th minute, Chengdu Leonardo pass, Wu Guichao assisted, Felipe pumping shot, Chengdu 1-2 behind.
Guizhou and Beijing North Sports University (NSTU) exchanged a 0-0 draw, with Guizhou accumulating 36 points from 10 wins, 6 draws and 6 losses, and NSTU accumulating 16 points from 3 wins, 7 draws and 12 losses. Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic beat Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) 2-0, the Shaanxi team has 39 points with 11 wins, 6 draws and 5 points, while BIT has 8 points with 2 wins, 2 draws and 18 losses. Meizhou Hakka beat Gusu Dongwu 3-1, Meizhou leads with 52 points from 17 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses, while Gusu has 26 points from 6 wins, 8 draws and 8 losses.
Jiangxi Beidamen are temporarily behind their opponents after a 0-1 defeat against Liaoning Shenyang City. Stay tuned for further reports on the exact battle.
