Hangzhou Greentown conceded its first loss at home this season, losing 3-2 to Changchun Yatai in a heated match. The result is a bitter pill to swallow for Okada, the Greentown players, and Hangzhou fans after the home side gave away a 2-0 halftime lead.
Following the previous week’s ‘shocker’ (5-0 loss at Guizhou Renhe) there was a sense of urgency among the Greentown hopefuls going into their first match at Huanglong in almost a month. The home side started bright with dominant play through the middle and constant overlapping runs via wingers Jeong Dong Ho and Fan Xiaodong, while keeper Jiangbo continued to be a rock in goal. The two Brazilians, Renatinho and Fabrizio, looked dangerous and after Renatinho’s freekick was well saved by Zhong Lei, minutes later Fabrizio’s 35 yard blast was not.
For the second time this season, Fabrizio produced a bit of magic that is encouraging to see within the CSL, with a first touch shot from beyond thirty that caught Yatai keeper completely off guard. Fifteen minutes later the men in green again found the back of the net through a Duwei header off a Wangsong corner. While Changchun looked rattled going into the half, Greentown was flying after one of the sides most entertaining halves of the season.
Fabrizio produces another divine finish to start the days scoring.
The second half was completely to the contrary as the first. Much to the delight of the 50-odd Changchun fans that made the2000Km trip south, and to the disappointment of the Green Soul faithful, Changchun found its way back into the match and somehow three points to claim from three awkward goals.
First, when captain Duwei got caught on the wrong side of Cao Tianbo he compensated by bringing down the striker, expecting the call and card to come. But advatange was called when Liu Weidong quickly collected the ball, rushing on to neatly tuck the ball in the corner. 2-1. Ten minutes later Chanchun struck again, this time through an arguable penalty that left home fans outraged. Among other items flip-flops & hundred RMB bank notes were thrown on the field by enraged Zhejiangese claiming ‘Black Whistle,’ or match fixing. The coffin was nailed when, with two minutes remaining in the match, Chen Lian Sheng found space at the edge of the penalty area to complete the comeback victory for Changchun.
Okada having a word with his captain Du Wei.
After the match Greentown players collapsed in disappointment, while Changchun celebrated a crucial three away points. Next week for Greentown is away to Dalian Aerbin where Hangzhou will be hopeful to take its first points since the start of the break.
