Realing two fierce battles in the relegation group of CSL Round 11.

# Fierce Battles in CSL Round 11: Relegation Group Heats Up

The 11th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL) brought intense drama to the relegation group, with two thrilling matches that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The competition is getting hotter as teams fight to avoid relegation, and the latest fixtures did not disappoint.

### Shanghai SIPG vs. Chongqing Dornah Gang: A Nail-Biting Draw

The first match of the round saw Shanghai SIPG and Chongqing Dornah Gang clash in a high-stakes encounter. Both teams went into the match knowing the importance of the three points, but the game turned out to be a rollercoaster of emotions.

Shanghai SIPG dominated possession early on, but their efforts were wasted as Chongqing Dornah Gang held firm defensively. The visitors broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when a well-executed counter-attack led to a goal. However, Shanghai SIPG responded quickly, equalizing just eight minutes later with a powerful header from a corner kick.

Chongqing Dornah Gang, though, refused to back down. In the 88th minute, they scored a dramatic late winner, leaving Shanghai SIPG in disbelief. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, but the result was a major blow to SIPG’s hopes of securing a top-half finish. Head coach Vahid Halilhodzic was clearly frustrated with his team’s defensive lapses, stating, “We can’t continue like this if we want to survive in this league.”

### Henan Jianye vs. Shandong Taishan: A Late Defeat

The second match of the round saw Henan Jianye host Shandong Taishan in a clash of two struggling sides. Henan Jianye entered the match looking for a much-needed win, but their hopes were dashed in the 90th minute.

Shandong Taishan took the lead in the 15th minute with a well-crafted goal, and despite Henan Jianye’s relentless pressure, the visitors held on to their advantage. In the final minute of the match, Shandong Taishan’s defender scored a controversial goal after benefiting from a generous foul in the penalty area.

Henan Jianye’s coach, Cuco Zigangirov, was left fuming, accusing the referee of making a biased decision. “This is not a fair result,” he said. The loss leaves Henan Jianye in deep trouble, as they now sit at the bottom of the relegation group with only three points from their opening 11 matches.

### Implications for the Relegation Race

These two matches have sent shockwaves through the relegation group. Shanghai SIPG’s draw against Chongqing Dornah Gang means both teams remain in the relegation zone, but neither can afford to drop more points if they want to survive. Meanwhile, Henan Jianye’s late defeat has piled more pressure on their struggling defense.

The CSL relegation race is far from over, and with three rounds remaining, every match will be crucial. Teams will need to regroup quickly and address their weaknesses if they want to secure their place in the league for next season.

The competition is far from over, and fans can expect more thrilling moments as the relegation battle intensifies. Stay tuned for the next round of matches, where the stakes will be even higher!