Dalian Shide starting lineup (4-4-2): goalkeeper No. 1 Chen Dong, defenders No. 6 Zhang Yaokun, No. 4 Zhai Yanpeng, No. 12 Wang Sheng, No. 2 Tang Tian; midfielders No. 9 Jangovic, No. 7 Zhao Xu Ri, No. 26 Zhang Yalin, No. 11 Yan Song (86th minute substitution, No. 14 Hu Zhaogun); strikers No. 17 Zou Jie (92nd minute substitution, No. 15 Zhao Ming Jian), No. 18 Wang Peng (28th minute substitution No. 8 Zhu Ting).
Changsha Jinde Starting XI (4-5-1): Goalkeeper #29 Song Zhenyu; Defenders #19 Zhang Ke, #5 Xu Yang, #2 Zhao Ming, #3 Mijanovic; Midfielders #15 Bakar, #9 Yang Fusheng (replaced in the 35th minute by #7 Wen Huyi), #6 Xu Bo, #8 Liu Jianye, #20 Li Zhenhong; Striker #11 Abu.
Thousands of fans gathered at the venue to witness an exciting Chinese Super League matchup. Dalian fans jokingly called Changsha Jinde's tactics "Torn Pants Legs Wrapped Around Legs", describing the team as trying their best in every game.
Less than a minute after the start, Zhai Yanpeng launched an attack on the left, the pass was intercepted by the opposing defenders, but Zhao Xuri then kicked a corner, Zhang Yaokun header, the ball hit Mijanovic's arm popped out. Referee Yao Qing did not penalize the player, which triggered the dissatisfaction of Dalian Shide players.
Changsha Jinde then looked for a counterattack, but Dalian Shide still controlled the rhythm of the game, and the first half was a battle between offense and defense.
Facing the compact defense of Changsha Jinde, Dalian Shide kept pressuring with long-distance shots. Despite many missed chances, Chen Dong bravely blocked Changsha Jinde's attacks, and the first half was tied at 0-0.
Chen Dong currently plays for Dalian Yingbo Football Club and is known as the "Troika" with fellow 1978-born investor Wang Kui and head coach Li Guoxu at the helm of the team.
In the second half, Kindred launched an onslaught of attacks, while Jangovic was quick to return the favor and deliver the knockout blow.
In the 59th minute, Xu Bo was fouled at the top of the penalty area, and Jangovic won a free kick. After the players skillfully coordinated, Jangovic himself played a curved ball around the wall and bounced into the net to break the deadlock.
Changsha Jinde started to attack after conceding the goal. In the 76th minute, Jangovic was tackled to the ground by Xu Bo in the center of the field, and players from both sides then surrounded the referee, with one side protesting and the other trying to prevent the referee from showing a yellow card.
The referee showed a red card to Jangovic, who left the field in anger. Slow-motion replay showed that Jangovic had a hidden hooking motion with his legs as he got up and spat twice at Xu Bo on the ground.
Dalian Shide insisted on playing with one less player. In the 78th minute, Zhao Ming shoveled Zou Jie, triggering dissatisfaction among the players of one side, and the assistant coach managed to calm down the situation.
In the 86th minute, Hu Zhaojun replaced Bonfrere to strengthen the defense. A minute later, Changsha Jinde attacked from a corner kick and Wang Sheng kept the goal intact, letting Chen Dong breathe a sigh of relief.
In the end, Dalian Shide beat Changsha Jinde 1-0, taking the victory from the away field with difficulty and ending the embarrassment of not winning the first round of matches for three consecutive seasons.
After the match, Jangovic was banned for six matches and fined 6,000 yuan by the CFA.
