Hebei China Fortune FC continued to fall down the standings of the 2016 Chinese Super League as the team was held to a 1-1 draw by Chongqing Lifan FC at the Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium last Friday.

Following a goalless first half, Chongqing Lifan was finally able to break the deadlock five minutes after the hour mark of the match with a goal from Brazilian forward Alan Kardec, who directed compatriot Fernandinho's cross past the outstretched arms of Hebei goalkeeper Yang Cheng.

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The Samba Kings were not to be denied, though, as Kardec and Fernandinho's countryman, Aloísio dos Santos Gonçalves, netted the equalizer with a penalty kick in the 77th minute after a yellow card was given to Chongqing midfielder Ding Jie.

The draw was the sixth consecutive winless performances for Hebei China Fortune. It also kept new head coach Manuel Pellegrini from earning his first victory in China's top league.

Hebei has won only once in their last 12 CSL matches, dropping the team to the fifth spot of the current league table with 36 points.

Only the top four teams at the end of the season will advance to next season's AFC Champions League competitions and so Hebei's chance of getting one of the qualifying berths is dim with only four rounds left in the season.

Meanwhile, Chongqing Lifan has stringed three-straight unbeaten games with the draw against Hebei.

Chongqing is now settled at the 10th spot of the 16-team league table with a comfortable eight points above the bottom two relegation area as the season slowly winds down to a close.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Hebei China Fortune FC, Chongqing Lifan FC