Jiangsu Suning convincingly beat Shandong Luneng 3-0 with one goal coming from former Chelsea midfielder Ramires and a brace from 50 million Euro man Alex Teixeira.
It was a high profile match in the first round as last year’s cup winners Jiangsu Suning faced off against last year’s third placed Shandong Luneng. Both sides started March busy with home matches in the AFC Chamions League. Shandong beat Thai side Buriram United 3-0 while Jiangsu were coming off a 3-2 win against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
A strong crowd turned out to see their new look team. A Jiangsu side that after an off season purchase by retailer Suning made headlines around the world for buying up top European players. A tough first match against Shandong would show if it was money well spent or not.
Worries were quickly put aside though as Jiangsu got a dream start. New Shandong centre back signing Gil slipped in the 3rd minute allowing Ramires to run in on goal. Shandong keeper Wang Dalei rushed off his line, but Ramires chipped the ball over him and into the net.
Ramires starts things off for Jiangsu.
Ramires put in a man of the match performance as the midfielder ran from one end of the pitch to the other, getting further up the pitch than striker Jo at times and going back to defend corners.
CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE ROUND 1
Jiangsu Suning 3
Ramires 3
Alex Teixeira 66, 85
Shandong Luneng 0
Attendance: 49,000
The Brazilian international linked up with fellow compatriot Alex Teixeira slipping a pass in to leave the former Shaktar Donetsk player alone in the box. Teixeira hit the ball calmly into the top corner not even giving Wang Dalei a chance to react.
Teixeira with a cool finish.
The night was very uncharacteristic for a good Shandong side. Jiangsu keeper Zhang Sipeng was left with little to do and was never seriously tested. Shandong’s Walter Montillo was subbed off in the 63rd minute after a disappointing performance and many of Shandong’s other key players contributed little.
In the 85th minute Teixeira made it 3-0 with an almost identical goal this time assisted by Jiangsu captain Wu Xi. All three of Jiangsu’s new foreign signings were subbed off near the end however Teixeira went off to the crowd chanting his name. If he gives more performances like this he will no doubt become a fan favourite.
Both teams next play on March 11 and at home. Jiangsu will host Yanbian and Shandong will host Liaoning.
Jiangsu Suning: Zhang Sipeng, Ren Hang, Zhou Yun, Trent Sainsbury, Li Ang, Ramires(83’ Zhang Xinlin), Wu Xi, Ji Xiang, Jo(89’ Sammir), Alex Teixeira(88’ Liu Jianye)
Shandong Luneng: Wang Dalei, Dai Lin, Zhao Mingjian, Zheng Zheng, Gil, Walter Montillo(’63 Zhang Wenzhao), Hao Junmin, Wang Yangpo, Jucilei, Diego Tardelli(76’ Liu Binbin), Yang Xu.
