2018 Dalian Yifang F.C. season

Dalian Yifang F.C.

Chairman	Shi Fenghe Zhou Jun (from 3 April)
Manager	Ma Lin (until 20 March) Bernd Schuster (from 20 March)
Stadium	Dalian Sports Center
Super League	11th
FA Cup	Semi-finals
Top goalscorer	League: Nyasha Mushekwi (15) All: Nyasha Mushekwi (15)
Highest home attendance	51,666 (11 Nov.)
Lowest home attendance	20,197 (22 Apr.)
Average home league attendance	33,145
Home colours Away colours
← 2017 2019 →

The 2018 Dalian Yifang F.C. season was the ninth season in club history.

Overview

Dalian Yifang experienced a roller-coaster season, starting with a rather confusing status, then constantly improved their performances throughout the season, but faced difficulties again as multiple players are called up by the National training team, and finally made a great salvation.

Confusing Preseason

Yifang remained low profile after the last successful season, but the team decided not to renew the contract with Juan Caro, despite that Caro himself eagerly wanted to stay.^[1] On 26 December 2017, Dalian Yifang officially announced Ma Lin, who shortly sided with the team in 2014, to be the new manager, "under the decision of Dalian Municipal Bureau of Sports",^[2] indicating that the ownership of the team was actually in hiatus.

Dalian Yifang moved to Foshan, Guangdong and trained there from 3 January to 12 February,^[3] then flew to Jeju, South Korea after the Chinese New Year for further training.^[4]

Wanda Group, former owner of the disbanded famous local team Dalian Wanda F.C., was widely reported to take over Dalian Yifang,^[5] though the decision was not officially announced. The company sought to emphasize back on Chinese market by selling their major overseas assets^[6] including shares in Atlético Madrid,^[7] after Chinese government put strict regulations and bans on using domestic funding to invest foreign enterprises^[8] and investigated a few companies including Wanda, Hainan airlines and Anbang Group.^[9]

Yifang released Ferrari and Boli, while the two-time best scorer Nyasha Mushekwi stayed. Yifang signed Mate Maleš from HNK Rijeka before Wanda took control, but later claimed that he was medically unfit as soon as Wanda brought Fonté, Carrasco and Gaitán in, thus terminated the transfer and excluded him from the squad, because the 2018 CSL allowed up to 4 foreign players to be registered in one team only.^[10]

March

Yifang started the season with a catastrophic 0-8 defeat against Shanghai SIPG in the coming back match. The tactics, performance and substitutions were all chaotic. The manager Ma Lin even used six defenders after conceding 5 goals, but still too weak for SIPG's oppressing tactics. Ma Lin himself had already experienced a similar 8-1 defeat in the previous season with Liaoning FC against Shanghai Shenhua.^[11]

In the following two matches, Ma Lin used conservative 5-defender formation, putting Carrasco in the central forward position and fed him with long passes, but the results were unsatisfactory, as the team was still totally suppressed by the opponents. Nicolas Gaitán suffered a minor concussion during the match against Beijing Guoan.^[12]

The team made contact with Bernd Schuster^[13] to replace Ma Lin during the short break of the FIFA Calendar in late March.^[14]

April

On 3 April, Yifang announced that Zhou Jun, who had been working for Shanghai Shenhua since 2006, will be appointed as the chairman after his resignation at Shenhua.^[15]

Schuster focused on ball possession and passing. He used more young players than the U-23 policy required, which was seldom seen in other teams.

Yifang won the first match this season against Liaoning FC in the FA Cup. The team claimed that they will focus on the FA Cup, despite the fact that Yifang constantly struggled in the relegation area.

May

Yifang defeated Chongqing Dangdai by Sun Bo's long drive to enter the FA Cup quarter-finals on 2 May.^[16]

On 5 May, Yifang surprisingly overpowered the seven-time league champion Guangzhou Evergrande by 3-0, which was also the first league victory back in the Super League. Nyasha Mushekwi proved himself during this match, scoring 2 goals and gained a penalty as the starting striker. With the limitation of 3 foreign players in the line-up, he replaced José Fonte.

On 20 May, Yifang won the critical relegation match against Guizhou Hengfeng. Since Schuster's arrival, the team remain undefeated at home stadium.

On 27 May, Jia Xiuquan was appointed as the club's youth training chief inspector.^[17]

Summer Break

The 2018 Chinese Super League came to pause longer than usual, from the end of May until July, in consider of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. José Fonte and Yannick Carrasco entered the final squad to play for their respective national teams.^[18][19] Schuster claimed to improve the team during this period, while the club would seek for new players, especially defensive ones, to improve the squad.

Yifang U-19 youth team entered the final round of the U-19 FA Cup, but was defeated 3-4 (0-0) by Jiangsu Suning U-19 in penalty shootout on 28 June.

The team moved to Madrid, Spain for summer training from 8 June until 29 June. Leung Nok Hang, Duvier Riascos and a few young players had trials with the team. Mate Maleš left to join CFR Cluj. Wang Wanpeng signed loan contract to another local team Dalian Transcendence. On 21 June, Yifang signed Duvier Riascos for one and a half years on a free transfer, as well as Qin Sheng on a half-year loan from Shanghai Shenhua, then extended the contract with Nyasha Mushekwi for two years. Upon their return to China, Yifang signed Jin Pengxiang from Beijing Guoan on a half year loan. Fonte would terminate the contract with the club, as Riascos will take his position as foreign player.^[20]

July

Yifang started the second half of the season with 5-0 aggregate victory against China League Two team Sichuan Jiuniu in the FA cup, to enter the semi-finals. Cui Ming'an scored a volley from outside the box in the second leg.

However, the team did not gained victory in the league since their return as multiple players could not attend the match. Wang Yaopeng, Zhu Ting, Li Shuai and Zhou Ting all had muscle issues, while Carrasco did not return until 31 July.

August

Yifang lost 3 games in a row until the August 1 match against Changchun Yatai. Yang Shanping received a red card as soon as the game started. Li Shuai was called up for China U23 squad to prepare for the 2018 Asian Games, and Yifang gained advantage of using 1 less U23 player than required until 10 August.^[21] The losing streak was terminated by a successful 1-0 home revenge to Shanghai SIPG on 5 August. Carrasco scored the only goal after returning from the World Cup. Zhu Xiaogang received a severe 6-match suspension for giving the finger to Shanghai SIPG players after the match.^[22] Shortly after, Nyasha Mushekwi scored the first and only hat trick in squad this season, to beat Guangzhou R&F by 3-0, but would miss the next match for accumulating 4 yellow cards. This victory brought Yifang out of the relegation area for the first time this season. Yifang defeated relegation opponent Henan Jianye by 2-1. Although Zhang Chong made a crucial mistake to give Ricardo Vaz Te a gift goal, Mushekwi scored twice to bring the team back to life. Much controversy appeared as Schuster used regular startups in the FA cup match against Shandong Luneng, that the team's performance would be limited by frequent fixtures. Yifang obtained a 1-1 away draw from another relegation opponent, Chongqing Dangdai, on 25 August.

Noticeably, on 12 August, FIFA ordered Iraqi club Al-Shorta SC to pay a final $805,000-worth compensation to Yifang.^[23] Al-Shorta signed Nashat Akram in 2014 from Dalian Aerbin, but Akram left Aerbin without permission, and FIFA's decided the transfer had violated the rules. FIFA informed the club previously in March, but the club failed to pay the requested $790 thousand at the time.^[24]

September

Yifang scored 4 goals for the first time this season to claim the 4-3 victory against Shandong Luneng. Jin Qiang scored for the first time since the match against Hunan Billows on 25 July 2015. Zhou Ting broke the record of the oldest player to score in the Chinese Super League by the age of 39 years and 208 days,^[25] which he had broken before by the age 36 years and 94 days during the 2015 season for Beijing Guoan against Changchun Yatai on 10 May 2015.^[26] Carrasco would play for Belgium in the UEFA Nations League. Mushekwi returned to Zimbabwe, but would miss the 2019 AFCON qualification, because he had had a lot of pain in the pelvis area, and would go for a planned examination in South Africa.^[27]

The September 15 match against Tianjin Quanjian would be played one day in advance, in consider that Quanjian's AFC championship home match against J1 League team Kashima Antlers on 18 September was moved to Macau due to multiple concerns.^[28] With Li Shuai's first goal in his professional career, Yifang won the first away 3-point from Quanjian.

Yifang continued the winning streak after defeating Shanghai Shenhua by 2-1. Mushekwi scored twice, including a volley near the goal area. He and Carrasco however, were not chosen for the FA cup away match in Shandong on 25 September, as Yifang headed for exit in the FA cup semi-finals by conceding 3 goals, and was unable to break the 2013 record, when Aerbin lost both matches against Guizhou Moutai in the semi-finals. Although Yifang lost the away match in Guangdong, their points had reached a safer position through September.

October

Chinese Football Association called up a training squad consists of 55 players, from 8 October until 31 December,^[29] including Li Shuai, Wang Yaopeng and Wang Jinxian, after released a file previously on 30 September,^[30] indicating that Yifang was capable to neglect the U-23 policy from October. These 3 players would miss the rest league matches this season.

Yifang claimed another home victory against Suning. Mushekwi scored twice again, in addition to a free-kick goal from Carrasco, who would miss the next match for accumulating 4 yellow cards.

As for the 20 October lost in Guizhou, Zhang Chong achieved, as the team officially recorded, his 100th appearance under the team name of Dalian Yifang, since Yifang took actual control of Dalian Aerbin F.C. in July 2015.^[31] Qin Sheng strained his muscle in the match, bringing further difficulties to the team's defense line.

Yifang lost 2-3 to Hebei CFFC, with Riascos and Cui Ming'an both scored from outside the box. Mushekwi was unable to play as the doctor recommended, and would have a surgery in Madrid to treat the problem that stalked him for the entire season some time later.^[32]

On 26 October, a football forum was held in Bangchui Island Hotel, Dalian.^[33] Wang Jianlin, potential owner of Yifang, attended the forum, together with the city mayor, a few CFA officials, and owners of other football clubs in Dalian, to discuss about future development of local football.^[34] This was strongly believed to be a sign, that Wanda would officially take over the team in the 2019 season, as they did some 24 years ago.

November

Yifang's November started with another critical loss. Zhu Ting scored his first goal in 2018 season, but Zhang Chong made a Karius-like mistake, by throwing the ball directly to Cao Yongjing, thus ruined the match. Moreover, Yifang lost the following desperate match to Tianjin TEDA. The 4-match losing streak pushed Yifang to the brink of relegation. Mushekwi scored his 50th goal at Yifang, but had a heavy collision later with TEDA goalkeeper Yang Qipeng. He bravely volunteered to resume playing after a short faint, but was eventually substituted off. Later inspection indicated that he suffered potential cervical vertebra injury, to miss the next match.^[35]

The last round of 2018 season on 11 November saw a desperate situation, as Yifang, Tianjin TEDA, Changchun Yatai and Chongqing Dangdai were identical 32 points. Any loss or draw would lead to large relegation possibilities, Yifang have to win the game to ensure safety. Yatai striker Odion Ighalo was unable to play due to injuries, while Qin Sheng returned in time. With Riascos's header and Carrasco's killer shot near the goal line, the season-highest 51,666 fans watched Yifang safely ranked 11th as the 2018 Chinese Super League reached its final moments.

Squad

First team Squad

As of July 2018.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  CHN Zhang Chong 3 DF  CHN Shan Pengfei 4 DF  CHN Li Shuai 6 MF  CHN Zhu Xiaogang 7 DF  CHN Wang Liang 8 DF  CHN Zhu Ting 9 MF  ARG Nicolás Gaitán 10 MF  BEL Yannick Carrasco 11 MF  CHN Sun Guowen 12 DF  CHN Zhou Ting 13 DF  CHN Wang Yaopeng 14 DF  CHN Yan Peng 15 MF  CHN Jin Qiang 16 MF  CHN Qin Sheng (on loan from Shanghai Shenhua) 17 MF  CHN Zhang Hui 18 DF  CHN Wang Xianjun

No. Pos. Nation Player 19 GK  CHN Yu Ziqian 20 MF  CHN Wang Jinxian 21 MF  CHN Liu Yingchen 22 DF  CHN Dong Yanfeng 23 GK  CHN Chen Junlin 25 DF  CHN Jin Pengxiang (on loan from Beijing Guoan) 26 MF  CHN Cui Ming'an 28 FW  COL Duvier Riascos 29 MF  CHN Sun Bo 30 FW  ZIM Nyasha Mushekwi 31 DF  CHN Yang Shanping (on loan from Tianjin Quanjian) 33 FW  CHN Zhao Xuebin 36 MF  CHN Dong Honglin 37 MF  CHN Yu Zhen 38 MF  CHN Yang Fangzhi

Reserve squad

As of 1 March 2018

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 27 DF  CHN Zheng Jianfeng 41 MF  CHN Li Yang 42 GK  CHN Gao Tian 43 GK  CHN Su Jinyi 44 MF  CHN Yuan Hao 45 MF  CHN Liu Zhipeng 46 DF  CHN Zhu Jiaxuang 47 MF  CHN Wang Zhilei 48 MF  CHN Gao Mingxin 49 FW  CHN Lin Zhiqiang 50 MF  CHN Zhang Zimin

No. Pos. Nation Player 51 MF  CHN Yang Lei 52 MF  CHN Ruan Yingming 53 DF  CHN Yin Jiahao 54 MF  CHN Zhu Hui 55 MF  CHN Zhang Jiansheng 56 DF  CHN Huang Jiahui 57 MF  CHN Yang Weihao 58 MF  CHN Han Peijiang 59 DF  CHN He Yupeng 60 FW  CHN Liu Jiqiang

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 2 DF  CHN Wang Wanpeng (at Dalian Transcendence until 31 December 2018)

Coaching staff

As of August 2018.

Position	Until March 2018	From March 2018	From August 2018	Notes
Head coach	Ma Lin	Bernd Schuster	Bernd Schuster
Assistant coach	Li Xicai	David Cortés Caballero[36]	David Cortés Caballero
			Tang Tian	On loan contract from Shanghai Shenhua[37]
			Liu Peng
Goalkeeping coach	Han Wenhai	Ricardo Matos	Ricardo Matos
Fitness coach	Milos Djurovic	Carlos Pérez-Cascallana[36]	Carlos Pérez-Cascallana
Tactical coach		Daniel Velazquez	Daniel Velazquez
Team official		Henrique Calisto	Henrique Calisto
Team physician	Kwon Hyuck-Jun	Antonio Turmo Garuz	Antonio Turmo Garuz
	Wang Zhong	Jan Jungwirth	Jan Jungwirth
	Li Hengjun	Li Hengjun	Li Hengjun
Reserve coach	Xu Hui	Xu Hui	Xu Hui
Youth coach	Pei Yongjiu	Pei Yongjiu	Pei Yongjiu

Transfers

Winter

In

No.	Pos.	Name	Age	Moving from	Type	Transfer fee	Notes	Ref.
—	DF	Wu Yuyin	28	Yinchuan Helanshan	Loan return	—
17	DF	Zhang Hui	23	Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic	Loan return	—
38	MF	Yang Fangzhi	22	Dalian Transcendence	Loan return	—
5	DF	José Fonte	34	West Ham United	Transfer	€5.5M		[38]
10	MF	Yannick Carrasco	24	Atlético Madrid	Transfer	€ 30M[39]		[40]
9	MF	Nicolás Gaitán	30	Atlético Madrid	Transfer	€ 18M[39]		[41]
27	DF	Zheng Jianfeng	28	Dalian Transcendence	Transfer	Undisclosed		[42]
7	MF	Wang Liang	28	Liaoning F.C.	Transfer	Undisclosed		[42]
31	DF	Yang Shanping	30	Tianjin Quanjian	Loan	—		[43]

Out

No.	Pos.	Name	Age	Moving to	Type	Transfer fee	Notes	Ref.
3	DF	Cao Xuan	32	Shijiazhuang Ever Bright	Transfer	Free transfer		[44]
5	DF	Jonathan Ferrari	30	—	Released	—
10	FW	Yannick Boli	30	Colorado Rapids	Released	Free transfer		[45]
14	MF	Qu Xiaohui	31	Dalian Chanjoy	Transfer	—		[46]
24	MF	Han Xu	29	Meixian Techand	Transfer	—		[47]
28	DF	Du Yuxin	25	Zibo Sunday	Loan	—
30	DF	Han Xuegeng	28	Dalian Chanjoy	Transfer	—		[46]
42	GK	Li Xinyu	21	Meizhou Hakka	Transfer	—
43	DF	Li Zhen	21	Liaoning F.C.	Transfer	—		[48]
45	DF	Fu Yuncheng	20	Dalian Chanjoy	Transfer	—		[46]
52	MF	Song Xiaoyu	21	Dalian Chanjoy	Transfer	—		[46]
55	MF	Tang Lianbin	21	Dalian Transcendence	Transfer	—
58	MF	Wang Junhao	21	Baoding Yingli ETS	Loan	—		[49]
—	GK	Liu Yipeng	21	Dalian Transcendence	Released	—		[50]

Summer

In

No.	Pos.	Name	Age	Moving from	Type	Transfer fee	Notes	Ref.
16	MF	Qin Sheng	32	Shanghai Shenhua	Loan	—		[51]
28	FW	Duvier Riascos	30	Vasco da Gama	Transfer	Free Transfer		[52]
25	DF	Jin Pengxiang	28	Beijing Guoan	Loan	—		[53]

Out

No.	Pos.	Name	Age	Moving to	Type	Transfer fee	Notes	Ref.
2	DF	Wang Wanpeng	36	Dalian Transcendence	Loan	—		[54]
5	DF	José Fonte	34	Lille OSC	Released[20]	Free transfer		[55]

Kits

• Shirt sponsor: Front: 万达城 (Wanda City), Back: 万达广场(Wanda Plaza) (until 18 August)/百年人寿(Aeon Life) (from 18 August)
• Shirt manufacturer: Nike

Home

Away

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Alternate

Goalkeeper Alternate 2

Friendlies

Preseason

Dalian Yifang v Shandong Luneng

26 January 2018 Friendly	Dalian Yifang	1 – 1	Shandong Luneng	Guangzhou, Guangdong
15:00 UTC+8	Nyasha Mushekwi		Graziano Pellè	Stadium: Guangzhou University City Stadium

Dalian Yifang v Gangwon FC

10 February 2018 Friendly	Dalian Yifang	1 – 3	Gangwon FC	Foshan, Guangdong
15:00 UTC+8	Sun Guowen

Dalian Yifang v Cheju Halla University

24 February 2018 Friendly	Dalian Yifang	3 – 1	Cheju Halla University	Jeju City, Jeju Province
13:30 UTC+9	Wang Wanpeng Nyasha Mushekwi Dong Yanfeng

Summer

Dalian Yifang v UD San Sebastián de los Reyes

20 June 2018 Friendly	Dalian Yifang	5 – 0	UD San Sebastián de los Reyes	Segovia, Spain
18:00 UTC+2	Wang Jinxian Sun Guowen Leung Nok Hang Dong Honglin

Dalian Yifang v Gimnástica Segoviana CF

24 June 2018 Friendly	Dalian Yifang	2 – 0	Gimnástica Segoviana CF	Segovia, Spain
18:00 UTC+2	Dong Honglin Yan Peng			Stadium: Estadio La Albuera

Dalian Yifang v C.D.E Amistad

28 June 2018 Friendly	Dalian Yifang	4 – 0	C.D.E Amistad	Segovia, Spain
18:30 UTC+2	Zhu Ting Wang Jinxian Yan Peng

Dalian Yifang v Zhejiang Greentown

11 July 2018 Friendly	Dalian Yifang	1 – 0	Zhejiang Greentown	Dalian, Liaoning
17:00 UTC+8	Duvier Riascos 9'			Stadium: Dalian Sports Centre

Chinese Super League

League table

Results summary

Position by round

League fixtures and results

Fixtures as of 13 February 2018.^[56] Might be adjusted if necessary.

Shanghai SIPG v Dalian Yifang

3 March 2018 1	Shanghai SIPG	8–0	Dalian Yifang	Shanghai
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Oscar 1', 24', 75' Hulk 37' (pen.) Wu Lei 60', 65', 83' Lü Wenjun 84'	Report	Zhou Ting  89'	Stadium: Shanghai Stadium Attendance: 21,813 Referee: Guan Xing Assistant referees: Xu Xianghui, Wu Huifeng Fourth official: Zhao Zhizhi

Guangzhou R&F v Dalian Yifang

10 March 2018 2	Guangzhou R&F	2–0	Dalian Yifang	Guangzhou
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Huang Zhengyu  26' Yi Teng  56' Chen Zhizhao 60' Zahavi 65'	Report		Stadium: Yuexiushan Stadium Attendance: 10,116 Referee: Wang Di Assistant referees: Yi Xueyun, Tang Rongdi Fourth official: Guo Baolong

Dalian Yifang v Beijing Guoan

16 March 2018 3	Dalian Yifang	0–3	Beijing Guoan	Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Carrasco  59' Jin Qiang  74'	Report	Soriano 12' (pen.), 61' Wei Shihao 24' Jiang Tao  44'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 41,399 Referee: Radek Příhoda Assistant referees: Zhou Fei, Hu Chengjun Fourth official: Chen Gang

Henan Jianye v Dalian Yifang

31 March 2018 4	Henan Jianye	1–1	Dalian Yifang	Zhengzhou
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Carrasco 11' Zhu Xiaogang  32' Zhou Ting  66'	Report	Bassogog 32' Cala  53' Gu Cao  70'	Stadium: Hanghai Stadium Attendance: 20,356 Referee: Wang Jin Assistant referees: Sun Kai, Liu Jinyu Fourth official: Zhao Zhizhi

Dalian Yifang v Chongqing Dangdai

7 April 2018 5	Dalian Yifang	2–2	Chongqing Dangdai	Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)	Zhu Xiaogang  12'  60' Wang Jinxian 18',  23' Gaitán 56' Wang Yaopeng  80'	Report	Fernandinho 64' Luo Hao  80' Cao Dong 84' Wang Weicheng  90+3'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 23,916 Referee: Lin Jun Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Huang Tao Fourth official: Hei Xiaohu

Shandong Luneng v Dalian Yifang

14 April 2018 6	Shandong Luneng	2–0	Dalian Yifang	Jinan
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Tardelli 32', 79' (pen.) Zheng Zheng  82'	Report	Gaitán  90+4'	Stadium: Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium Attendance: 21,725 Referee: Zhao Zhizhi Assistant referees: Zhou Fei, Shen Pengxiang Fourth official: Xia Jun

Dalian Yifang v Tianjin Quanjian

22 April 2018 7	Dalian Yifang	1–1	Tianjin Quanjian	Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)	Carrasco 45+2' (pen.) Cui Ming'an  77'	Report	Modeste 6' (pen.) Liu Yiming  74' Sun Ke  84'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 20,197 Referee: Fu Ming Assistant referees: Yu Yue, Yi Xueyun Fourth official: Tang Shunqi

Shanghai Shenhua v Dalian Yifang

29 April 2018 8	Shanghai Shenhua	1–0	Dalian Yifang	Shanghai
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Aidi  20' Rong Hao  24' Moreno  25', 62' Li Jianbin  66'	Report	Mushekwi  73'	Stadium: Hongkou Football Stadium Attendance: 20,907 Referee: Zhang Long Assistant referees: Xu Xianghui, Wu Huifeng Fourth official: Huang Yejun

Dalian Yifang v Guangzhou Evergrande

5 May 2018 9	Dalian Yifang	3–0	Guangzhou Evergrande	Dalian
15:00 (UTC+08:00)[57]	Mushekwi 24' Carrasco 43' (pen.) Yu Zhen  81' Wang Jinxian 87' Sun Bo  90+5'	Report	Tang Shi  39'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 41,096 Referee: Zhao Zhizhi Assistant referees: Sun Kai, Hu Chengjun Fourth official: Wang Zhe

Jiangsu Suning v Dalian Yifang

13 May 2018 10	Jiangsu Suning	1–0	Dalian Yifang	Nanjing
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Huang Zichang 58'	Report		Stadium: Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre Attendance: 30,756 Referee: Huang Yejun Assistant referees: Zhong Yong, Mei Pan Fourth official: Liang Caiwei

Dalian Yifang v Guizhou Hengfeng

20 May 2018 11	Dalian Yifang	2–1	Guizhou Hengfeng	Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Yang Shanping  53' Zhu Xiaogang  57' Mushekwi 74', 89',  90+3' Carrasco  90+5'	Report	Tang Xin  16' Yang Ting  24' Fan Yunlong 30' Du Wei  58' Steve  68' Suárez  86' Jelavić  89' Min Junlin  90+4'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 33,959 Referee: Ai Kun Assistant referees: Shi Xiang, Zhou Fei Fourth official: Zhao Yi

Dalian Yifang v Hebei China Fortune

18 July 2018 12	Dalian Yifang	0–0	Hebei China Fortune	Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Shan Pengfei  16' Qin Sheng  90+3'	Report	Song Wenjie  87' Hernanes 90+4'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 23,208 Referee: Wang Di Assistant referees: Zhang Cheng, Bo Deng Fourth official: Guo Baolong

Beijing Renhe v Dalian Yifang

21 July 2018 13	Beijing Renhe	3–1	Dalian Yifang	Beijing
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Chen Jie  12' Moukandjo 47' Wan Houliang  76' Masika 85' Diop 90' (pen.)	Report	Wang Jinxian  15' Mushekwi  76' Riascos 80'	Stadium: Beijing Fengtai Stadium Attendance: 10,279 Referee: Shi Zhenlu Assistant referees: Liu Jinyu, Tang Rongdi Fourth official: Tang Shunqi

Dalian Yifang v Tianjin TEDA

28 July 2018 14	Dalian Yifang	2–3	Tianjin TEDA	Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Cui Ming'an  21', 88' Zhu Xiaogang  64' Mushekwi 80'	Report	Zhao Yingjie  21' Cao Yang  56' Li Yuanyi 61' Hui Jiakang 65' Acheampong 70'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 25,009 Referee: Zhang Long Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Yu Yue Fourth official: Xia Jun

Changchun Yatai v Dalian Yifang

1 August 2018 15	Changchun Yatai	3–0	Dalian Yifang	Changchun
18:00 (UTC+08:00)	Ighalo 10' (pen.), 39' (pen.) Mierzejewski  18', 29' Li Guang  21' Zhou Dadi  27' Tan Long  36' Yan Zhiyu  43'	Report	Yang Shanping  4' Gaitán  19'	Stadium: Changchun Stadium Attendance: 13,675 Referee: Guan Xing Assistant referees: Liu Jinyu, Ma Kexin Fourth official: Wu Liying

Dalian Yifang v Shanghai SIPG

5 August 2018 16	Dalian Yifang	1–0	Shanghai SIPG	Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Qin Sheng  13' Zhu Xiaogang  18' Carrasco 51' Gaitán  80' Riascos  85'	Report	Hulk  45+3' He Guan  61' Lü Wenjun  90+6'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 26,339 Referee: Ma Li Assistant referees: Ma Ji, Zhang Hongwei Fourth official: Hei Xiaohu

Dalian Yifang v Guangzhou R&F

10 August 2018 17	Dalian Yifang	3–0	Guangzhou R&F	Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Qin Sheng  55' Mushekwi 35', 56', 82',  84'	Report	Zhang Gong  58' Lu Lin  70'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 27,998 Referee: Wang Di Assistant referees: Zhang Cheng, Huang Tao Fourth official: Tang Shunqi

Beijing Guoan v Dalian Yifang

14 August 2018 18	Beijing Guoan	5–2	Dalian Yifang	Beijing
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Bakambu 17', 75' Zhang Yu  37' Viera 40' Piao Cheng 47' Augusto 61'	Report	Gaitán  11' Lei Tenglong 45' (o.g.) Cui Ming'an 68'	Stadium: Workers Stadium Attendance: 38,126 Referee: Wang Jin Assistant referees: Zhang Qiangjin, Hu Chengjun Fourth official: Guo Baolong

Dalian Yifang v Henan Jianye

18 August 2018 19	Dalian Yifang	2–1	Henan Jianye	Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Mushekwi 45+1', 50' Riascos  56' Li Shuai  79' Shan Pengfei  85'	Report	Ma Xingyu  15' Vaz Tê 34' Ke Zhao  74'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 33,189 Referee: Radek Příhoda Assistant referees: Huo Weiming, Yang yang Fourth official: Niu Minghui

Chongqing Dangdai v Dalian Yifang

25 August 2018 20	Chongqing Dangdai	1–1	Dalian Yifang	Chongqing
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Kardec  42' Ding Jie  49', 52' Yuan Mincheng  66' Peng Xinli  76'	Report	Mushekwi 24' Zhou Ting  57'	Stadium: Chongqing Olympic Sports Center Attendance: 34,685 Referee: Wang Di Assistant referees: Zhou Fei, Wu Huifeng Fourth official: Liang Caiwei

Dalian Yifang v Shandong Luneng

1 September 2018 21	Dalian Yifang	4–3	Shandong Luneng	Dalian
19:35(UTC+08:00)	Gaitán 33',  87' Zhou Ting 36' Carrasco 62' (p) Li Shuai  72' Jin Qiang 86'	Report	Yao Junsheng  36' Diego Tardelli  50' Jin Jingdao  50' Wu Xinghan 57' Gil  60' Zhang Chi 70',  87' Graziano Pellé 78' Liu Junshuai  87'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 33,698 Referee: Wang Jin Assistant referees: Ma Ji, Xi Fei Fourth official: Hei Xiaohu

Tianjin Quanjian v Dalian Yifang

14 September 2018[58] 22	Tianjin Quanjian	0–1	Dalian Yifang	Tianjin
17:30 (UTC+08:00)	Wang Xiaolong  38' Kwon Kyung-Won  58'	Report	Carrasco  58' Li Shuai 73'	Stadium: Haihe Educational Football Stadium Attendance: 15,006 Referee: Huang Yejun Assistant referees: Zhang Jian, Shen Pengxiang Fourth official: Wang Zhe

Dalian Yifang v Shanghai Shenhua

22 September 2018 23	Dalian Yifang	2–1	Shanghai Shenhua	Dalian
15:30(UTC+08:00)	Mushekwi 12', 85' Gaitán  45+1' Jin Qiang  76'	Report	Liu Ruofan 61'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 41,889 Referee: Gu Chunhan Assistant referees: Xu Xianghui, Wu Huifeng Fourth official: Ma Li

Guangzhou Evergrande v Dalian Yifang

29 September 2018 24	Guangzhou Evergrande	3–0	Dalian Yifang	Guangzhou
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Alan 6' (p) Gao Lin 65' Mushekwi 69' (o.g.)	Report		Stadium: Tianhe Stadium Attendance: 46,392 Referee: Shi Zhenlu Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Liu Jinyu Fourth official: Ma Li

Dalian Yifang v Jiangsu Suning

6 October 2018 25	Dalian Yifang	3–1	Jiangsu Suning	Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)	Zhu Ting  9' Mushekwi 37', 84' Li Shuai  55' Carrasco  17' 68'	Report	Gabriel Paletta 4'  67' Abduhamit  41'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 43,579 Referee: Wang Zhe Assistant referees: Yu Xue, Xi Fei Fourth official: Guo Baolong

Guizhou Hengfeng v Dalian Yifang

20 October 2018 26	Guizhou Hengfeng	3–0	Dalian Yifang	Guiyang
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Nikica Jelavić  14' Lin Longchang 42' Liu Hao 55' Kévin Boli 79'	Report		Stadium: Guiyang Olympic Sports Center Attendance: 12,583 Referee: Huang Yejun Assistant referees: Zhang Qiangjin, Deng Bo Fourth official: Zhao Zhizhi

Hebei China Fortune v Dalian Yifang

27 October 2018 27	Hebei China Fortune	3–2	Dalian Yifang	Langfang
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Du Wenyang  45+2' Zhang Chong 74' (o.g.) Dong Xuesheng 77', 81'	Report	Riascos 4' Dong Yanfeng  74' Cui Ming'an 84' Carrasco  90+4'	Stadium: Langfang Stadium Attendance: 16,503 Referee: Shi Zhenlu Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Tang Rongdi Fourth official: Wu Liying

Dalian Yifang v Beijing Renhe

3 November 2018 28	Dalian Yifang	1–2	Beijing Renhe	Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)	Zhu Ting 12' Zhang Chong  19' Cui Ming'an  31' Jin Qiang  58' Dong Yanfeng  79' Zhou Ting  90+4'	Report	Makhete Diop 18', 81' Cao Yongjing  23' Luo Xin  43' Yu Bin  90+4'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 30,029 Referee: Guo Baolong Assistant referees: Yu Yue, Guo Jingtao Fourth official: Tang Shunqi

Tianjin TEDA v Dalian Yifang

7 November 2018 29	Tianjin TEDA	3–1	Dalian Yifang	Tianjin
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Tan Wangsong  35' Peng Rui  45+1' Xie Weijun 57' Zhao Yingjie 74' Yang Qipeng  90' Frank Acheampong 90+1'	Report	Sun Bo  39' Mushekwi 47'  69' Zhang Chong  54' Carrasco  90+4'	Stadium: Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium Attendance: 31,607 Referee: Bastian Dankert Assistant referees: René Rohde, Zou Fei Fourth official: Niu Minghui

Dalian Yifang v Changchun Yatai

11 November 2018 30	Dalian Yifang	2–0	Changchun Yatai	Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)	Riascos 23' Qin Sheng  25' Carrasco 64'  90+2' Zhou Ting  76'	Report	Sun Jie  22' Li Guang  71'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 51,666 Referee: Nawaf Shukralla Assistant referees: Mohamed Jaafar Mohamed Salman, Yaser Tulefat Fourth official: Hei Xiaohu

Chinese FA Cup

FA Cup fixtures and results

As of 24 July 2018.^[59]

Liaoning F.C. v Dalian Yifang

24 April 2018 4	Liaoning F.C.	1–4	Dalian Yifang	Shenyang, Liaoning
15:30 (UTC+08:00)	Yang Shuai 42' Ni Yusong  58' Sang Yifei  85'	Report	Sun Guowen 13' Liu Yingchen 29' Zhao Xuebin 32' (p) Jin Qiang  44' Zhou Ting  58' Zhang Hui 81'  81'	Stadium: Tiexi Stadium Attendance: 1,527 Referee: Yang Kaizi Assistant referees: Zhang Meilin, Zhang Kun Fourth official: Bai Bin

Chongqing Lifan v Dalian Yifang

2 May 2018 5	Chongqing Lifan	0–1	Dalian Yifang	Chongqing
19:35 (UTC+08:00)		Report	Sun Bo 90+2'	Stadium: Chongqing Olympic Sports Center Attendance: 10,856 Referee: Wang Di Assistant referees: Zhou Fei, Deng Bo Fourth official: Xia Jun

Quarter-finals

Dalian Yifang v Sichuan Jiuniu

7 July 2018 1st Leg	Dalian Yifang	3–0	Sichuan Jiuniu	Dalian, Liaoning
19:35 (UTC+08:00)	Zhu Ting  32' 45' Wang Jiong 52' (o.g.) Zhao Xuebin 81' Wang Jinxian  84'	Report	Zhao Heng  34'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 10,208 Referee: Ai Kun Assistant referees: Huo Weiming, Sun Kai Fourth official: Guan Xing

Sichuan Jiuniu v Dalian Yifang

24 July 2018 2nd Leg	Sichuan Jiuniu	0–2 (0–5 agg.)	Dalian Yifang	Chengdu, Sichuan
19:35 (UTC+08:00)		Report	Qin Sheng 42' (p) Cui Ming'an 54' Zhao Xuebin 87'	Stadium: Chengdu Longquanyi Football Stadium Attendance: 9,116 Referee: Fu Ming Assistant referees: Zhang Cheng, Zhou Fei Fourth official: Liang Caiwei

Semi-finals

Dalian Yifang v Shandong Luneng

21 August 2018 1st Leg	Dalian Yifang	0–1	Shandong Luneng	Dalian, Liaoning
19:35 (UTC+08:00)		Report	Jin Jingdao 14'	Stadium: Dalian Sports Center Attendance: 13,829 Referee: Gu Chunhan Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Zhang Cheng Fourth official: Zhang Long

Shandong Luneng v Dalian Yifang

25 September 2018 2nd Leg	Shandong Luneng	3–0 (4–0 agg.)	Dalian Yifang	Jinan, Shandong
18:00[60] (UTC+08:00)	Liu Yang 48' Jin Jingdao  52' Diego Tardelli 85' (p)		Li Shuai  86'	Stadium: Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium Attendance: 15,369 Referee: Milorad Mažić Assistant referees: Milovan Ristić, Dalibor Đurđević Fourth official: Li Haixin

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

As of November 2018. Source

No.	Pos.	Player	Nat.	Age	Super League			FA Cup			Total
					App.	Starts	Goals	App.	Starts	Goals	App.	Starts	Goals
1	GK	Zhang Chong		31	30	30	0	1	1	0	31	31	0
2	DF	Wang Wanpeng		36	3	3	0	2	2	0	5	5	0
3	DF	Shan Pengfei		25	20	14	0	2	2	0	22	16	0
4	DF	Li Shuai		23	18	16	1	3	3	0	21	19	1
5	DF	José Fonte		34	7	7	0	2	2	0	9	9	0
6	MF	Zhu Xiaogang		31	19	19	0	3	1	0	22	20	0
7	MF	Wang Liang		29	3	3	0	2	1	0	5	4	0
8	MF	Zhu Ting		33	26	23	1	3	3	1	29	26	2
9	MF	Nicolás Gaitán		30	28	28	2	2	2	0	30	30	2
10	MF	Yannick Carrasco		24	25	25	7	1	1	0	26	26	7
11	MF	Sun Guowen		25	7	1	0	4	3	1	11	4	1
12	DF	Zhou Ting		39	20	15	1	5	5	0	25	20	1
13	DF	Wang Yaopeng		23	22	16	0	3	3	0	25	19	0
14	DF	Yan Peng		23	7	0	0	4	1	0	11	1	0
15	MF	Jin Qiang		25	17	11	1	3	3	0	20	14	1
16	MF	Qin Sheng		32	13	11	0	4	4	1	17	15	1
17	MF	Zhang Hui		22	0	0	0	2	1	1	2	1	1
18	MF	Wang Xianjun		18	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
19	GK	Yu Ziqian		33	0	0	0	5	5	0	5	5	0
20	MF	Wang Jinxian		22	20	18	2	2	2	0	22	20	2
21	MF	Liu Yingchen		25	0	0	0	4	2	1	4	2	1
22	DF	Dong Yanfeng		22	12	6	0	3	2	0	15	8	0
23	GK	Chen Junlin		25	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
25	DF	Jin Pengxiang		28	1	0	0	1	1	0	2	1	0
26	MF	Cui Ming'an		24	22	19	3	2	1	1	24	20	4
27	DF	Zheng Jianfeng		29	3	3	0	0	0	0	3	3	0
28	FW	Duvier Riascos		30	9	7	3	2	2	0	11	9	3
29	MF	Sun Bo		27	21	7	0	5	5	1	26	12	1
30	FW	Nyasha Mushekwi		31	20	20	15	0	0	0	20	20	15
31	DF	Yang Shanping		31	25	24	0	2	2	0	27	26	0
33	FW	Zhao Xuebin		25	4	0	0	6	3	2	10	3	2
36	DF	Dong Honglin		22	0	0	0	3	3	1	3	3	1
37	DF	Yu Zhen		21	3	1	0	1	0	0	4	1	0
38	MF	Yang Fangzhi		21	4	3	0	1	0	0	5	3	0
TOTALS							36			10			36

Goalscorers

Disciplinary record

No.	Pos.	Player	Super League			FA Cup			Total
1	GK	Zhang Chong	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
2	DF	Wang Wanpeng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	DF	Shan Pengfei	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
4	DF	Li Shuai	3	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	0
5	DF	José Fonte	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	MF	Zhu Xiaogang	5	1	0	0	0	0	5	1	0
7	MF	Wang Liang	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	MF	Zhu Ting	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0
9	MF	Nicolás Gaitán	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	0
10	MF	Yannick Carrasco	7	0	0	0	0	0	7	0	0
11	MF	Sun Guowen	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	DF	Zhou Ting	5	0	0	1	0	0	6	0	0
13	DF	Wang Yaopeng	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
14	DF	Yan Peng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
15	MF	Jin Qiang	3	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	0
16	MF	Qin Sheng	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
17	MF	Zhang Hui	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
18	MF	Wang Xianjun	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
19	GK	Yu Ziqian	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
20	MF	Wang Jinxian	1	0	1	1	0	0	2	0	1
21	MF	Liu Yingchen	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
22	DF	Dong Yanfeng	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
23	GK	Chen Junlin	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
25	DF	Jin Pengxiang	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
26	MF	Cui Ming'an	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
27	DF	Zheng Jianfeng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
28	FW	Duvier Riascos	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
29	MF	Sun Bo	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
30	FW	Nyasha Mushekwi	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
31	DF	Yang Shanping	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1
33	FW	Zhao Xuebin	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
36	DF	Dong Honglin	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
37	DF	Yu Zhen	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
38	MF	Yang Fangzhi	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TOTALS			56	1	2	7	0	0	63	1	2

Suspensions

References