Qingdao West Coast secured a 2-1 victory over Shanghai Port on the night of July 4, with Zheng Zhi's full‑time coaching becoming the post‑match talking point. The match saw seven goals ruled out, yet the final score still favored Qingdao West Coast.

What caused seven goals to be cancelled?

In the 29th minute, Zhang Yuan was sent off after a tackle on Aziz's left ankle. Six minutes later, Li Hao's save error led to a rebound that was nullified because Leonardo handled the ball first. During first‑half stoppage time, Aziz's set‑piece goal was disallowed for a teammate's offside interference. In the 57th minute, Aziz assisted Nélson Luz's strike, which was also cancelled due to Aziz's offside. At the 76th minute, Davidson, Aziz and Luz each shot, but VAR confirmed Aziz's foul, voiding the goal. Seven goals were struck off, highlighting the intense refereeing.

How did the decisive goals happen?

In the 84th minute, Peng Xinli delivered a precise cross, Aziz's shot was blocked, and Luz tapped in to finally give Qingdao West Coast the lead. Nine minutes later, Aziz sent another cross, Davidson struck from a tight angle, and the ball slipped under Yan Junling's legs, making it 2-0. In the last moments of stoppage time, An Yongjia scored from a free‑kick for Shanghai Port, ending the match at 2-1.

What does Zheng Zhi's full‑time role mean for the club?

According to Football Daily, Zheng Zhi resigned from his post at Guangzhou Sports Institute to focus on coaching Qingdao West Coast. This move is already reflected in recent results: he returned to the bench for the FA Cup round of 16, guiding the team forward. The squad's attack is led by Nélson Luz, who this season has netted seven goals in 15 appearances, making him the club's top scorer. Zheng must keep his temper in check to avoid referee disputes that could lead to suspensions.

What lies ahead for Qingdao West Coast?

The team travels to face Shenzhen Xinpeng City on July 11, with Zheng Zhi set to continue his league duties. Against a strong opponent, Qingdao West Coast aims to build on this win, climb the table and chase a playoff spot. Defensive solidity and attacking efficiency will decide whether they can achieve that goal.