September 8: Holding an 11-Point Lead but Unable to Break Down Henan — Is Chengdu Rongcheng Really Guaranteed the Title?

With an enormous 11-point lead, Chengdu Rongcheng were widely expected to secure the Chinese Super League title by winning away from home. However, on the night of September 6, Henan's home ground produced a 0-0 draw that poured cold water on the league leaders' ambitions of being crowned champions. The title race is still ongoing, and it is far from time to celebrate with the trophy.

The key match of the 26th round of the Chinese Super League has concluded. If Rongcheng had defeated Henan, they would have secured the first title in club history four rounds early, becoming the first top-flight league champion in Sichuan football history. After 25 rounds, Rongcheng had 51 points, moving 11 points clear of Dalian Yingbo, who had played one fewer match. Their huge advantage led many to believe they would achieve their dream early. Yet they encountered a Henan side that appeared to have little left to fight for but was determined not to become a mere backdrop for an opponent's coronation.

Henan had no relegation concerns, and they had already been eliminated from the Chinese FA Cup. Playing in only one competition, their results would not greatly affect the overall season picture. However, playing at home, no one wanted to personally witness an opponent celebrating the title there. Fans familiar with the Chinese Super League remember that Henan had stopped Rongcheng's progress more than once last season. They have no major stars or luxurious squad, but they can often disrupt strong teams' rhythm through relentless physical battles. So the key question is: did Henan's determined defense truly counter Rongcheng, or has Chengdu already been tied down by the pressure of an approaching championship? I lean toward the latter; having too large an advantage can sometimes become a burden.

Looking back at the match, Henan fully deserved the point. They started aggressively, with Nasario's lob attempt, Gustavo's counterattack, and waves of corners repeatedly pushing Chengdu's defense to the edge. Yellow cards came one after another, and the intensity continued to rise. He Chao's long-range shot went over, Huang Ruifeng's effort from a tight angle was saved, and Zheng Dalun's powerful strike was brilliantly stopped by Liu Dianzuo. Rongcheng made frequent midfield mistakes, while Wei Shihao and Romulo repeatedly tried free kicks, but their efforts were either blocked or narrowly missed. They could not break through that final barrier. The huge points advantage could not hide the awkwardness of an attack that could not find its target.

This is the harsh reality of the Chinese Super League. A points lead is only a record of past results, and every match is a new challenge. When everyone assumes you should win, the psychological burden can often be harder to overcome than an opponent's defense. After the match, Rongcheng led Dalian Yingbo by 12 points, and their title probability remained extremely high. No one can deny their dominance this season. But the words 'it's secured' still cannot be said. Until the mathematically required points are reached, any team determined to fight can still slow their progress.

A trophy not yet in hand always leaves room for change. Chengdu Rongcheng are very close to their dream, but there is no need to rush. A true champion must not only win evenly matched battles but also grind out results in draws that appear to be 'must-win' games.

Do you think Rongcheng can achieve their dream and secure the title early in the next round? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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