Nanjing City 1–2 Ningbo Professional Football Club: Late Drama Decides China League One Thriller

On the evening of June 13, 2026, Nanjing City hosted Ningbo Professional Football Club in a fiercely contested Chinese Football League 1 match at the Nanjing Football Training Base Stadium. The visitors walked away with a crucial 2–1 victory after a tense second-half comeback, leaving the home side to rue missed opportunities.

Match Overview

The match kicked off at 19:30 under clear skies, with both teams eager to climb the mid-table standings. Nanjing City started brightly, pressing high and forcing Ningbo into early defensive errors. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Nanjing’s forward Liu Yiming slotted home from a tight angle after a pinpoint cross from the left wing. The goal energized the home crowd, but Ningbo remained composed and slowly worked their way back into the contest.

Key Moments

• 28' – Nanjing City 1–0: Liu Yiming’s sharp finish gave the hosts the lead.
• 57' – Ningbo equalizes: A defensive lapse allowed Ningbo striker Zhang Wei to head in from a corner kick, making it 1–1.
• 79' – Winning goal: Ningbo’s midfielder Chen Hao unleashed a curling shot from 25 yards that nestled into the top corner, leaving the Nanjing goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

Tactical Story

Nanjing City initially dominated possession and created several chances through quick transitions. However, Ningbo’s tactical shift to a more compact 4-4-2 after the break stifled Nanjing’s creativity. The visitors exploited space behind Nanjing’s full-backs, particularly after the hour mark, and their set-piece execution proved decisive. Nanjing’s failure to convert early dominance into a second goal ultimately cost them.

Standout Performers

Ningbo’s Chen Hao was the match-winner with his stunning strike, while goalkeeper Wang Jin made five saves to preserve the lead. For Nanjing, Liu Yiming showed sharp movement but lacked service in the second half. The midfield battle was dominated by Ningbo’s experienced captain Zhou Peng, who dictated tempo and broke up play effectively.

Impact on the Standings

The victory lifted Ningbo Professional Football Club into the top half of the China League One table, while Nanjing City slipped to 12th place, just three points above the relegation zone. With the season entering its critical phase, both teams will need consistency to achieve their respective goals.

© 2026 Chinese Football League 1