Carlos scored his first goal since returning, helping Guangzhou Leopard win the first-half championship in the China League One

Staff reporter Wang Wei reported On the evening of July 18, the 2026 China League One Round 15 saw the final game of the first half of the season. Guangzhou Leopard headed to Nanjing Wutaishan Sports Center to take on Nanjing City. With a goal from foreign player Carlos in the 28th minute, Guangzhou Leopard beat their opponents 1-0, securing back-to-back league victories. After this match, the team has recorded four wins and two draws in their last six games, accumulating 33 points to top the standings, seven points ahead of second-placed Shenzhen Youth. They have firmly secured the first-half championship of the China League One this season, while also achieving an impressive unbeaten run in five consecutive away matches.

For this away trip to Nanjing, Guangzhou Leopard had a clear goal: to go all out for three points. In their previous game, the frontline trio of Liang Xueming, Nikon, and Carlos started together, with Wang Jianming, Wang Junjie, Xiao Kun, and Gao Huaze holding the midfield. Liu Langzhou, Liao Junjian, and Han Xuan continued as the three central defenders, while Xiao Jiaqi guarded the goal. Hou Yu was on the bench as a substitute, and Kamara, Liu Bin, Huang Shenghao, and Wei Wenning were all included in the matchday squad. Looking back at past encounters, Guangzhou Leopard had achieved a double over Nanjing City last season, but the entire team remained vigilant. The coaching staff repeatedly emphasized before the match that every game in the China League One must be taken seriously.

The summer heat in Nanjing was intense, and the match was fiercely contested from the start. Both teams played at a high tempo, with frequent physical confrontations and a tense atmosphere on the pitch. In the 28th minute, Guangzhou Leopard launched a sustained attack, creating chaos in the penalty area. Carlos was first to react, lashing a shot that hit the crossbar, then quickly followed up with a header to score, breaking the deadlock for his team. This goal held special significance, as it was Carlos's first goal since returning to Guangzhou Leopard during the second transfer window this year.

After the break, to further strengthen their attacking advantage, Guangzhou Leopard head coach Feng Feng brought on Kamara in the 59th minute to boost the forward pressure. Shortly after coming on, Kamara received a cross from Carlos on the left, adjusted, and fired a powerful shot, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. In the 84th minute, Carlos once again delivered a precise cross. A defensive clearance error in the box allowed Nikon to follow up with a diving shot, but he failed to make contact with the ball, missing a golden opportunity to extend the lead. In the remaining time, Nanjing City fought back fiercely, but goalkeeper Xiao Jiaqi made several crucial saves, repeatedly neutralizing threatening attacks and preserving the clean sheet. When the final whistle blew, the score stood at 1-0, with Guangzhou Leopard taking all three points away from home.

After securing this victory, Guangzhou Leopard have gone unbeaten in their last six league matches, with four wins and two draws, accumulating 14 points in that stretch. Their total points now stand at 33, seven points ahead of second-placed Shenzhen Youth, earning them the first-half championship of the China League One. They have also maintained an unbeaten run in five consecutive away games.

After the match, Guangzhou Leopard head coach Feng Feng said in an interview: "This game was very intense from start to finish. Carlos scored his first goal since returning to the team, and that goal helped us secure the victory. Especially today, goalkeeper Xiao Jiaqi performed brilliantly, and we won this tough match." When asked about the tactical preparation for Carlos before the game, Feng explained: "Carlos's strength lies in his attacking power. The goal he scored came from a cross into the box. Today's pitch conditions had some impact on our playing style, so we relied more on his penetrating runs."

Regarding the honor of being the first-half champion, Feng remained calm and focused on the upcoming schedule: "For me, the first-half championship is already in the past. Every match from now on is the most crucial one, and we need to be fully prepared for each game."

After the match, Carlos, who scored his first goal since returning, said in an interview that he prioritized the team's victory. "This was the last game of the first round of the China League One this season. This match was very important for the team. Being able to win this game, my goal wasn't that important—what mattered most was the team's victory. These three points keep us at the top of the standings and allow us to enter the second half of the season with a new mindset. We aim to establish an early advantage before the end of the league season and strive to achieve the team's overall goals as soon as possible."

The crucial victory at the end of the first half has laid a solid foundation for the team's second half of the season. On July 25 at 19:00, in Round 16 of the China League One, Guangzhou Leopard will continue their away campaign, challenging Ningbo Team, which is coached by Li Weifeng and has been in hot form recently. Several Guangzhou Leopard players stated that winning the first-half championship is only a阶段性 achievement. The entire team has not relaxed, and both the coaching staff and players are focused on the upcoming tough matches. The team will take a brief rest before heading to face Ningbo Team on the road. Guangzhou Leopard will carry the momentum and confidence gained from the first half as they go all out to achieve their goal of promotion this season.