Despite struggling to their victories, both Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing Guoan smoothly came away with victories in their matches as Evergrande keeps hold of a four point lead as they fight for a fourth straight title. R&F came from behind to take all three points away, but 11 points back mean they can only be happy with third this season. At the bottom of the table lots of draws mean things generally stay the same.
Changchun Yatai 1-1 Dalian Aerbin
A dongbei derby, a six pointer in the relegation race, a battle of loaned players, there was a lot to play for in this one. Yang Xu put Changchun up just after the half but Sun Bo responded late with an equalizer from way, way out as the two sides split the points.
Shanghai Shenxin 0-1 Guizhou Renhe
After many years in charge of Shenxin, it was a happy homecoming for Zhu Jiong, his Guizhou side left things for late, but a 85th minute goal by Hyuri meant the southwestern side would return home with all three points.
Guangzhou Evergrande 3-0 Jiangsu Sainty
Jiangsu looked like they were going to be able to hold on and get a solid result at Tianhe, but it wasn’t to be as Evergrande found their form and found the back of the net. The first one came at almost the 70th minute mark, Yu Hanchao was taken down in the box and Elkeson put away the ensuing penalty. Zhao Xuri added an 88th minute effort before Elkeson would close things out in extra time for a dominant victory.
Harbin Yiteng 0-0 Tianjin Teda
Tianjin generally controlled the opportunities but they couldn’t find a goal, Harbin will be happy to have come away with a point, stopping an upwardly mobile Teda side.
Lianoning Whowin 0-0 Shandong Luneng
While Shandong was able to shake off their struggles and come up with a big win against Guoan in midweek, their league struggles continue, leaving Liaoning with only a point will be disappointing and brings up the same question that comes up each week, when will Cuca be out?
Beijing Guoan 2-0 Shanghai East Asia
It was a workmanlike performance for the Beijingers, who generally controlled the ball but had difficulty creating opportunities. That said, things have been different since it’s become the magical Dejan and Erton show and that show continued last night, with a brace for Damjanovic to make it a happy night for his friend Darko Matic, on his 200th appearance for Guoan.
Hangzhou Greentown 1-3 Guangzhou R&F
Despite Hangzhou going up in the first half, it was all R&F on the night as they came through with three second half goals, Lu Lin started things out just after the hour mark and then the blue side of Guangzhou added two more in quick succession, in the 72nd and 74th minute to wrap things up.
Henan Jianye 2-2 Shanghai Shenhua
Shenhua coach Sergio Batista lambasted the pitch at Henan’s Hanghai stadium as suitable only for “desert football” but the appalling surface surprisingly didn’t prevent an entertaining game from taking place. The home side opened the scoring when Zhu Yifan’s weakly struck kick bounced in past a hapless Qiu Shenjiong who inexplicably didn’t move. He wasn’t to blame for the second goal – a 25 yard Huang Xiyang rocket which flew into the top left corner. Shenhua grabbed what looked like a consolation goal when Xu Liang curled in a freekick in the 87th minute, before Lucas Viatri headed home Jiang Kun’s long ball in the dying seconds of injury time in an agonizing conclusion for the home side.
What a pass by Aloisio and nice goal from Lu Lin. Wu Lei didn’t played like in the last matches, but Guoan it’s strong at home. Batista has right about the pitch from Henan. They don’t have money to change it? I guess if you have to pay decent foreign players like Roger Johnson and Rafael Marques you should have to change the pitch.