2018 Dalian Yifang F.C. season

Dalian Yifang F.C.
ChairmanChina Shi Fenghe
China Zhou Jun (from 3 April)
ManagerChina Ma Lin
(until 20 March)
Germany Bernd Schuster
(from 20 March)
StadiumDalian Sports Center
Super League11th
FA CupSemi-finals
Top goalscorerLeague: Nyasha Mushekwi (15)
All: Nyasha Mushekwi (15)
Highest home attendance51,666 (11 Nov.)
Lowest home attendance20,197 (22 Apr.)
Average home league attendance33,145
← 2017
2019 →

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

Overview[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

First team Squad[edit]

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 China CHN Zhang Chong
3 DF China CHN Shan Pengfei
4 DF China CHN Li Shuai
6 MF China CHN Zhu Xiaogang
7 DF China CHN Wang Liang
8 DF China CHN Zhu Ting
9 MF Argentina ARG Nicolás Gaitán
10 MF Belgium BEL Yannick Carrasco
11 MF China CHN Sun Guowen
12 DF China CHN Zhou Ting
13 DF China CHN Wang Yaopeng
14 DF China CHN Yan Peng
15 MF China CHN Jin Qiang
16 MF China CHN Qin Sheng (on loan from Shanghai Shenhua)
17 MF China CHN Zhang Hui
18 DF China CHN Wang Xianjun
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 GK China CHN Yu Ziqian
20 MF China CHN Wang Jinxian
21 MF China CHN Liu Yingchen
22 DF China CHN Dong Yanfeng
23 GK China CHN Chen Junlin
25 DF China CHN Jin Pengxiang (on loan from Beijing Guoan)
26 MF China CHN Cui Ming'an
28 FW Colombia COL Duvier Riascos
29 MF China CHN Sun Bo
30 FW Zimbabwe ZIM Nyasha Mushekwi
31 DF China CHN Yang Shanping (on loan from Tianjin Quanjian)
33 FW China CHN Zhao Xuebin
36 MF China CHN Dong Honglin
37 MF China CHN Yu Zhen
38 MF China CHN Yang Fangzhi

Reserve squad[edit]

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 China CHN Zheng Jianfeng
41 MF China CHN Li Yang
42 GK China CHN Gao Tian
43 GK China CHN Su Jinyi
44 MF China CHN Yuan Hao
45 MF China CHN Liu Zhipeng
46 DF China CHN Zhu Jiaxuang
47 MF China CHN Wang Zhilei
48 MF China CHN Gao Mingxin
49 FW China CHN Lin Zhiqiang
50 MF China CHN Zhang Zimin
No. Pos. Nation Player
51 MF China CHN Yang Lei
52 MF China CHN Ruan Yingming
53 DF China CHN Yin Jiahao
54 MF China CHN Zhu Hui
55 MF China CHN Zhang Jiansheng
56 DF China CHN Huang Jiahui
57 MF China CHN Yang Weihao
58 MF China CHN Han Peijiang
59 DF China CHN He Yupeng
60 FW China CHN Liu Jiqiang

Out on loan[edit]

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 China CHN Wang Wanpeng (at Dalian Transcendence until 31 December 2018)

Coaching staff[edit]

As of August 2018.

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

Transfers[edit]

Winter[edit]

In[edit]

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

Out[edit]

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

Summer[edit]

In[edit]

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

Out[edit]

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

Kits[edit]

  • 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

Friendlies[edit]

Preseason[edit]

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
30 January 2018 Friendly Dalian Yifang 0 – 0 Dalian Chanjoy Foshan, Guangdong
15:00 UTC+8
10 February 2018 Friendly Dalian Yifang 1 – 3 Gangwon FC Foshan, Guangdong
15:00 UTC+8 Sun Guowen
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[edit]

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

Main article: 2018 Chinese Super League

League table[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
9 Tianjin Quanjian 30 9 9 12 41 48 −7 36[a]
10 Guangzhou R&F 30 10 6 14 49 61 −12 36[a]
11 Dalian Yifang 30 10 5 15 37 57 −20 35
12 Henan Jianye 30 10 4 16 30 45 −15 34
13 Chongqing Dangdai Lifan 30 8 8 14 40 46 −6 32[b]
Source: League table
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Reserve league points; 6) U19 Elite league points; 7) Goal difference; 8) Goals scored; 9) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 10) Draw
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Tianjin Quanjian is ahead of Guangzhou R&F on head-to-head points: Tianjin Quanjian 2–1 Guangzhou R&F, Guangzhou R&F 2–6 Tianjin Quanjian.
  2. ^ Chongqing Dangdai Lifan, Tianjin Teda and Changchun Yatai were ranked by head-to-head points: Chongqing Dangdai Lifan 7 pts, Tianjin Teda 5 pts, Changchun Yatai 4 pts.

Results summary[edit]

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
30 10 5 15 37 57  −20 35 9 3 3 28 18  +10 1 2 12 9 39  −30

Last updated: 11 November 2018.
Source: See Results

Position by round[edit]

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930
GroundAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAH
ResultLLLDDLDLWLWDLLLWWLWDWWWLWLLLLW
Position161616161616151515151515151515151414131313131011999101511
Updated to match(es) played on 11 November 2018. Source: Competitive matches
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

League fixtures and results[edit]

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

3 March 2018 1 Shanghai SIPG 8–0 Dalian Yifang Shanghai
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Shanghai Stadium
Attendance: 21,813
Referee: China Guan Xing
Assistant referees: Xu Xianghui, Wu Huifeng
Fourth official: Zhao Zhizhi
10 March 2018 2 Guangzhou R&F 2–0 Dalian Yifang Guangzhou
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report Stadium: Yuexiushan Stadium
Attendance: 10,116
Referee: China Wang Di
Assistant referees: Yi Xueyun, Tang Rongdi
Fourth official: Guo Baolong
16 March 2018 3 Dalian Yifang 0–3 Beijing Guoan Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 41,399
Referee: Czech Republic Radek Příhoda
Assistant referees: Zhou Fei, Hu Chengjun
Fourth official: Chen Gang
31 March 2018 4 Henan Jianye 1–1 Dalian Yifang Zhengzhou
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Hanghai Stadium
Attendance: 20,356
Referee: China Wang Jin
Assistant referees: Sun Kai, Liu Jinyu
Fourth official: Zhao Zhizhi
7 April 2018 5 Dalian Yifang 2–2 Chongqing Dangdai Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 23,916
Referee: China Lin Jun
Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Huang Tao
Fourth official: Hei Xiaohu
14 April 2018 6 Shandong Luneng 2–0 Dalian Yifang Jinan
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium
Attendance: 21,725
Referee: China Zhao Zhizhi
Assistant referees: Zhou Fei, Shen Pengxiang
Fourth official: Xia Jun
22 April 2018 7 Dalian Yifang 1–1 Tianjin Quanjian Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 20,197
Referee: China Fu Ming
Assistant referees: Yu Yue, Yi Xueyun
Fourth official: Tang Shunqi
29 April 2018 8 Shanghai Shenhua 1–0 Dalian Yifang Shanghai
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Hongkou Football Stadium
Attendance: 20,907
Referee: China Zhang Long
Assistant referees: Xu Xianghui, Wu Huifeng
Fourth official: Huang Yejun
5 May 2018 9 Dalian Yifang 3–0 Guangzhou Evergrande Dalian
15:00 (UTC+08:00)[57]
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 41,096
Referee: China Zhao Zhizhi
Assistant referees: Sun Kai, Hu Chengjun
Fourth official: Wang Zhe
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: China Huang Yejun
Assistant referees: Zhong Yong, Mei Pan
Fourth official: Liang Caiwei
20 May 2018 11 Dalian Yifang 2–1 Guizhou Hengfeng Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 33,959
Referee: China Ai Kun
Assistant referees: Shi Xiang, Zhou Fei
Fourth official: Zhao Yi
18 July 2018 12 Dalian Yifang 0–0 Hebei China Fortune Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 23,208
Referee: China Wang Di
Assistant referees: Zhang Cheng, Bo Deng
Fourth official: Guo Baolong
21 July 2018 13 Beijing Renhe 3–1 Dalian Yifang Beijing
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Beijing Fengtai Stadium
Attendance: 10,279
Referee: China Shi Zhenlu
Assistant referees: Liu Jinyu, Tang Rongdi
Fourth official: Tang Shunqi
28 July 2018 14 Dalian Yifang 2–3 Tianjin TEDA Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 25,009
Referee: China Zhang Long
Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Yu Yue
Fourth official: Xia Jun
1 August 2018 15 Changchun Yatai 3–0 Dalian Yifang Changchun
18:00 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Changchun Stadium
Attendance: 13,675
Referee: China Guan Xing
Assistant referees: Liu Jinyu, Ma Kexin
Fourth official: Wu Liying
5 August 2018 16 Dalian Yifang 1–0 Shanghai SIPG Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 26,339
Referee: China Ma Li
Assistant referees: Ma Ji, Zhang Hongwei
Fourth official: Hei Xiaohu
10 August 2018 17 Dalian Yifang 3–0 Guangzhou R&F Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 27,998
Referee: China Wang Di
Assistant referees: Zhang Cheng, Huang Tao
Fourth official: Tang Shunqi
14 August 2018 18 Beijing Guoan 5–2 Dalian Yifang Beijing
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Workers Stadium
Attendance: 38,126
Referee: China Wang Jin
Assistant referees: Zhang Qiangjin, Hu Chengjun
Fourth official: Guo Baolong
18 August 2018 19 Dalian Yifang 2–1 Henan Jianye Dalian
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 33,189
Referee: Czech Republic Radek Příhoda
Assistant referees: Huo Weiming, Yang yang
Fourth official: Niu Minghui
25 August 2018 20 Chongqing Dangdai 1–1 Dalian Yifang Chongqing
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
Stadium: Chongqing Olympic Sports Center
Attendance: 34,685
Referee: China Wang Di
Assistant referees: Zhou Fei, Wu Huifeng
Fourth official: Liang Caiwei
1 September 2018 21 Dalian Yifang 4–3 Shandong Luneng Dalian
19:35(UTC+08:00)
  • Gaitán 33', Yellow card 87'
  • Zhou Ting 36'
  • Carrasco 62' (p)
  • Li Shuai Yellow card 72'
  • Jin Qiang 86'
 Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 33,698
Referee: China Wang Jin
Assistant referees: Ma Ji, Xi Fei
Fourth official: Hei Xiaohu
14 September 2018[58] 22 Tianjin Quanjian 0–1 Dalian Yifang Tianjin
17:30 (UTC+08:00)
Report
  • Carrasco Yellow card 58'
  • Li Shuai 73'
 Stadium: Haihe Educational Football Stadium
Attendance: 15,006
Referee: China Huang Yejun
Assistant referees: Zhang Jian, Shen Pengxiang
Fourth official: Wang Zhe
22 September 2018 23 Dalian Yifang 2–1 Shanghai Shenhua Dalian
15:30(UTC+08:00)
  • Mushekwi 12', 85'
  • Gaitán Yellow card 45+1'
  • Jin Qiang Yellow card 76'
 Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 41,889
Referee: China Gu Chunhan
Assistant referees: Xu Xianghui, Wu Huifeng
Fourth official: Ma Li
29 September 2018 24 Guangzhou Evergrande 3–0 Dalian Yifang Guangzhou
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report Stadium: Tianhe Stadium
Attendance: 46,392
Referee: China Shi Zhenlu
Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Liu Jinyu
Fourth official: Ma Li
6 October 2018 25 Dalian Yifang 3–1 Jiangsu Suning Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)
  • Zhu Ting Yellow card 9'
  • Mushekwi 37', 84'
  • Li Shuai Yellow card 55'
  • Carrasco Yellow card 17' 68'
 Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 43,579
Referee: China Wang Zhe
Assistant referees: Yu Xue, Xi Fei
Fourth official: Guo Baolong
20 October 2018 26 Guizhou Hengfeng 3–0 Dalian Yifang Guiyang
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report Stadium: Guiyang Olympic Sports Center
Attendance: 12,583
Referee: ChinaHuang Yejun
Assistant referees: Zhang Qiangjin, Deng Bo
Fourth official: Zhao Zhizhi
27 October 2018 27 Hebei China Fortune 3–2 Dalian Yifang Langfang
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
  • Riascos 4'
  • Dong Yanfeng Yellow card 74'
  • Cui Ming'an 84'
  • Carrasco Yellow card 90+4'
 Stadium: Langfang Stadium
Attendance: 16,503
Referee: China Shi Zhenlu
Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Tang Rongdi
Fourth official: Wu Liying
3 November 2018 28 Dalian Yifang 1–2 Beijing Renhe Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)
  • Zhu Ting 12'
  • Zhang Chong Yellow card 19'
  • Cui Ming'an Yellow card 31'
  • Jin Qiang Yellow card 58'
  • Dong Yanfeng Yellow card 79'
  • Zhou Ting Yellow card 90+4'
 Report
Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 30,029
Referee: China Guo Baolong
Assistant referees: Yu Yue, Guo Jingtao
Fourth official: Tang Shunqi
7 November 2018 29 Tianjin TEDA 3–1 Dalian Yifang Tianjin
19:35 (UTC+08:00)
Report
  • Sun Bo Yellow card 39'
  • Mushekwi 47' Yellow card 69'
  • Zhang Chong Yellow card 54'
  • Carrasco Yellow card 90+4'
 Stadium: Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium
Attendance: 31,607
Referee: Germany Bastian Dankert
Assistant referees: Germany René Rohde, China Zou Fei
Fourth official: China Niu Minghui
11 November 2018 30 Dalian Yifang 2–0 Changchun Yatai Dalian
15:30 (UTC+08:00)
  • Riascos 23'
  • Qin Sheng Yellow card 25'
  • Carrasco 64' Yellow card 90+2'
  • Zhou Ting Yellow card 76'
 Report
  • Sun Jie Yellow card 22'
  • Li Guang Yellow card 71'
 Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 51,666
Referee: Bahrain Nawaf Shukralla
Assistant referees: Bahrain Mohamed Jaafar Mohamed Salman, Yaser Tulefat
Fourth official: China Hei Xiaohu

Chinese FA Cup[edit]

FA Cup fixtures and results[edit]

As of 24 July 2018[59]
24 April 2018 4 Liaoning F.C. 1–4 Dalian Yifang Shenyang, Liaoning
15:30 (UTC+08:00) Yang Shuai 42'
Ni Yusong Yellow card 58'
Sang Yifei Yellow card 85'		 Report Sun Guowen 13'
Liu Yingchen 29'
Zhao Xuebin 32' (p)
Jin Qiang Yellow card 44'
Zhou Ting Yellow card 58'
Zhang Hui 81' Yellow card 81'		 Stadium: Tiexi Stadium
Attendance: 1,527
Referee: China Yang Kaizi
Assistant referees: Zhang Meilin, Zhang Kun
Fourth official: Bai Bin
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: China Wang Di
Assistant referees: Zhou Fei, Deng Bo
Fourth official: Xia Jun

Quarter-finals[edit]

7 July 2018 1st Leg Dalian Yifang 3–0 Sichuan Jiuniu Dalian, Liaoning
19:35 (UTC+08:00) Zhu Ting Yellow card 32' 45'
Wang Jiong 52' (o.g.)
Zhao Xuebin 81'
Wang Jinxian Yellow card 84'		 Report Zhao Heng Yellow card 34' Stadium: Dalian Sports Center
Attendance: 10,208
Referee: China Ai Kun
Assistant referees: Huo Weiming, Sun Kai
Fourth official: Guan Xing
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 XuebinYellow card 87'		 Stadium: Chengdu Longquanyi Football Stadium
Attendance: 9,116
Referee: China Fu Ming
Assistant referees: Zhang Cheng, Zhou Fei
Fourth official: Liang Caiwei

Semi-finals[edit]

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: China Gu Chunhan
Assistant referees: Cao Yi, Zhang Cheng
Fourth official: Zhang Long
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 Yellow card 52'
Diego Tardelli 85' (p)		 Li Shuai Yellow card 86' Stadium: Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium
Attendance: 15,369
Referee: Serbia Milorad Mažić
Assistant referees: Serbia Milovan Ristić, Dalibor Đurđević
Fourth official: China Li Haixin

Squad statistics[edit]

Appearances and goals[edit]

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 China 31 30 30 0 1 1 0 31 31 0
2 DF Wang Wanpeng China 36 3 3 0 2 2 0 5 5 0
3 DF Shan Pengfei China 25 20 14 0 2 2 0 22 16 0
4 DF Li Shuai China 23 18 16 1 3 3 0 21 19 1
5 DF José Fonte Portugal 34 7 7 0 2 2 0 9 9 0
6 MF Zhu Xiaogang China 31 19 19 0 3 1 0 22 20 0
7 MF Wang Liang China 29 3 3 0 2 1 0 5 4 0
8 MF Zhu Ting China 33 26 23 1 3 3 1 29 26 2
9 MF Nicolás Gaitán Argentina 30 28 28 2 2 2 0 30 30 2
10 MF Yannick Carrasco Belgium 24 25 25 7 1 1 0 26 26 7
11 MF Sun Guowen China 25 7 1 0 4 3 1 11 4 1
12 DF Zhou Ting China 39 20 15 1 5 5 0 25 20 1
13 DF Wang Yaopeng China 23 22 16 0 3 3 0 25 19 0
14 DF Yan Peng China 23 7 0 0 4 1 0 11 1 0
15 MF Jin Qiang China 25 17 11 1 3 3 0 20 14 1
16 MF Qin Sheng China 32 13 11 0 4 4 1 17 15 1
17 MF Zhang Hui