BEIJING - Dalian Pro was relegated from the Chinese Super League after losing to champions Shanghai Port 3-2, while Zhejiang FC beat Shanghai Shenhua 2-1 to secure a place in next season's AFC Champions League 2, as the 2023 CSL season concluded on Saturday.
Cesar Lobi Manzoki broke the deadlock for Dalian in the 39th minute, and Yan Xiangchuang doubled the lead with a 57th-minute penalty.
Shanghai Port, who had already clinched the league title prior to Saturday's season finale, levelled through goals from Li Ang and Wu Lei in the 71st and 78th minutes, before Wu scored his second in injury-time to cap off a comeback win
But Shanghai Port, who had already clinched the league title prior to Saturday's season finale, levelled through goals from Li Ang and Wu Lei in the 71st and 78th minutes, before Wu scored his second in injury-time to cap off a comeback win.
Sitting second from bottom, Dalian was relegated to the second tier along with bottom side Shenzhen FC, who lost to Beijing Guoan 3-0 at home.
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Zhejiang and Shanghai Shenhua were tied on 52 points ahead of the last round. Swiss striker Cephas Malele converted a penalty in the 78th minute to move Shanghai in front, but Nyasha Mushekwi and Leonardo found the net in the space of four minutes to reverse the game in Zhejiang's favor.
After finishing third, Zhejiang has earned a spot in the AFC Champions League 2, which will debut in the 2024-25 season as Asia's new second-tier continental tournament.
Elsewhere, Shandong Taishan smashed Henan FC 5-1 to finish as CSL runners-up and qualify for next season's newly-renamed AFC Champions League Elite playoff round.
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Also on Saturday, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger edged Nantong Zhiyun 2-1, Wuhan Three Towns defeated Changchun Yatai 4-3, Chengdu Rongcheng smashed Meizhou Hakka 3-0, and Cangzhou Mighty Lions and Qingdao Hainiu played out a 0-0 stalemate.