Shijiazhuang Gongfu 1–1 Nantong Zhiyun – Chinese League One, July 25, 2026

Shijiazhuang Gongfu and Nantong Zhiyun shared the spoils in an entertaining 1–1 draw at the Yutong International Sports Center. The result keeps both sides in the upper half of the Chinese League One table, with Shijiazhuang now four points adrift of the promotion playoff places, while Nantong remain well positioned in third.

The home side took a deserved lead in the 38th minute through striker Zhu Jianrong, who latched onto a through ball from midfielder Luo Senwen and slotted calmly past Nantong goalkeeper Shi Xiaotian. Shijiazhuang had controlled much of the first-half possession and looked the more likely side to break the deadlock.

Nantong fight back after the break
Nantong Zhiyun came out with renewed energy after halftime. They equalised in the 58th minute when a well‑worked corner found forward Kamal Bungay free at the back post, and the Nigerian headed home his sixth goal of the season. The visitors pressed for a winner in the final quarter-hour, but Shijiazhuang goalkeeper Shao Puliang made two important saves to preserve a point.

Both managers expressed satisfaction with the draw, though Shijiazhuang boss Zhang Xiaofei lamented his side's inability to kill the game off. "We had the better chances in the first half. Against a team like Nantong, you have to take them because they'll punish you. In the end, a point is fair."

League One promotion race remains tight
The result keeps Shijiazhuang Gongfu in sixth place with 32 points, while Nantong Zhiyun hold third with 38, one point behind second-placed Guangxi Pingguo Haliao. With nine matches remaining, the race for the two automatic promotion spots and the playoff berths remains wide open.