Shanghai East Asia 1-0 Tianjin Teda
Chinese Super League round 6
Wu Lei 68
Attendance: 7,400
Shanghai East Asia got their second win of the season with a close-fought victory over struggling Tianjin, in the first-ever clash between the two sides.
Before Round six, East Asia were on a four-game unbeaten streak and eighth the table, with all goals scored by Chinese players. Tianjin’s fortunes are in sharp contrast – the northern team has yet to win a game and started the season on– 6 points. Whilst Shanghai Shenhua are already back in positive points, Teda are mired in the relegation zone.
East Asia used the same formation as they had done for the previous five games and Teda welcomed formal national team player Du Zhenyu back into the starting XI. The game was played in an open manner, with East Asia enjoying more possession but found it hard to mount many attacks and trouble Tianjin. The visitors played more conservatively and looked to strike on the counter-attack. They created several chances but fail to make any real threats.
In the 30th minute East Asia’s Zhu Zhenrong dribbled into the box and shot. Teda’s goal keeper Yang Qipeng blocked the effort, which fell to Lv Wenjun, who his the crossbar with his effort. Zhu Zhenrong took a third attempt from the rebound, but it was blocked by the defence.
On 68 mins, East Asia finally took their chance when Li Yunqiu’s cross was met by Wu Lei who headed the ball home to score his fourth goal of the season. Right after the re-start, Teda pushed Wang Xinxin and Jovancic forward, only for the pair to miss several chances. Tianjin couldn’t find a way through and, following the final whistle, were still looking for their first win of the season.
East Asia face their first derby of the season against Shenhua at Hongkou Stadium next Sunday afternoon in a game neither side will want to lose.
by Pedro Wang
