Zhejiang 3-2 Qingdao Hainiu! Ends two-game losing streak, rises to 8th, Tao Qianglong's stoppage-time winner, Mitri's goal and assist.

Zhejiang defeated Qingdao Hainiu 3-2 at home in a crucial Chinese Super League Round 18 match on the evening of July 14, Beijing time, snapping their two consecutive defeats.

Just 16 minutes into the match, Zhejiang nearly scored. Mitri broke through on the left and delivered a cross; Wang Yudong, in the center of the box, attempted a volley but failed to connect properly, missing a great chance.

In the 23rd minute, the deadlock was finally broken. Mitri initiated the attack, Wang Yudong chipped the ball into the box, and Mitri surged forward to head home, giving Zhejiang the lead.

In the 34th minute, Hainiu almost equalized. Li Suda's shot/cross went towards the goal, Yang Cong followed up with a tap-in into an empty net but hit the post.

After the break, in the 50th minute, Mitri carried the ball forward and passed to Tolic, who received the ball and blasted it into the net, extending Zhejiang's lead to 2-0.

Thereafter, Hainiu, trailing 0-2, launched a desperate counterattack. In the 58th minute, Ejuma assisted Andjelkovic, who fired a shot from inside the box to pull one back for Hainiu.

In the 65th minute, Zhang Aihui committed a reckless pulling foul in the box, causing Hainiu's new foreign signing Tufugiz, who had just come on as a substitute for his debut, to go down and win a penalty. In the 71st minute, Ejuma converted the penalty, leveling the score for Hainiu.

In the 76th minute, Zhejiang thought they had scored. Mitri crossed, Park Jin-seop followed up and scored, but the referee flagged offside, disallowing the goal.

With the match seemingly heading for a draw, in stoppage time, substitute Tao Qianglong executed a side volley to snatch a dramatic winner for Zhejiang.

In the end, Zhejiang held on to their victory until the final whistle. With this win, Zhejiang ended their two-game losing streak. After 18 rounds, they have 7 wins, 4 draws, and 7 losses. Due to a 5-point deduction, Zhejiang has 20 points and moved up to 8th place.

As for Qingdao Hainiu, they have only one win in their last seven matches. After 18 rounds, they have 6 wins, 3 draws, and 9 losses. With a 7-point deduction, Hainiu has 14 points. Having played one more game, they are 6 points ahead of the relegation zone teams, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Wuhan Three Towns.