Match Report: Nantong Zhiyun 1–3 Meizhou Hakka | China League One | June 27, 2026

Meizhou Hakka continued their impressive push for automatic promotion in China League One with a commanding 3–1 victory over Nantong Zhiyun at the Rugao Olympic Sports Center on June 27, 2026. The win kept Meizhou in second place, while Nantong’s playoff hopes suffered a major setback on home soil.

Meizhou Dominate from the Start

Meizhou wasted no time asserting their superiority. In the 8th minute, a quick free‑kick caught the Nantong defense sleeping, and Cui Wei slotted home from close range. The visitors doubled their lead in the 26th minute when Liang Xueming rose highest to head in a corner – his sixth goal of the season.

Nantong struggled to contain Meizhou’s pace on the counter. The home side’s best chance of the first half came from a long‑range effort that sailed just over the bar.

Nantong Fight Back but Fall Short

Nantong showed more fight after the interval and pulled one back in the 54th minute. A well‑worked move ended with Ji Shengpan firing low into the net after a lay‑off from the striker. The goal briefly lifted the home crowd, but Meizhou restored their two‑goal cushion just ten minutes later.

This time it was a defensive lapse: Nantong’s attempt to play out from the back was intercepted, and Wu Guichao applied a cool finish to make it 3–1. The home side lacked the quality to stage a full comeback, and Meizhou cruised to the final whistle.

Key Facts

• Possession: Nantong 48% – 52% Meizhou
• Total shots: Nantong 11, Meizhou 14
• Shots on target: Nantong 4, Meizhou 7
• Yellow cards: Nantong 3, Meizhou 1

Promotion Race Heats Up

The win kept Meizhou two points clear in the second automatic promotion spot, with leaders Qingdao West Coast now just one point ahead. Nantong Zhiyun dropped to eighth, six points adrift of the playoff places with nine games remaining. Manager Xie Hui admitted after the match: “We gave away soft goals and you can’t do that against a top‑three side.”

Meizhou will look to continue their momentum when they host Heilongjiang Ice City next weekend.