What a weekend it was with a great end to match. The fixture list served up a delicious tie between the top two teams, with Beijing enjoying the fortune of playing at home. The 1-1 stalemate gave the peloton a great chance to make up some ground. After a two week hiatus, the weekly wrap makes a comeback with another edition where we look at all the weekends goals.
Harbin Yiteng 0-2 Guangzhou R&F
Two goals in three first half minutes from Jiang Ning on his return from suspension mean Guangzhou R&F go back to third in the CSL at the end of the first half of the season. Harbin didn’t lack for effort and created a few chances but if Aberazzak Hamdallah had remembered to pack his shooting boots the scoreline could’ve been very embarrassing for the Northerners.
The win means R&F gains some ground on the Beijing and Their cross-city rivals after the late result came in on Monday night.
Liaoning Whowin 0-0 Dalian Aerbin
The two neighbours went into this game tied on points and following a rather drab affair, walked off the field in the same position just three points of the bottom. In a game with few chances, the pitch seemed to be a deciding factor as the ball bobbled early and often leading to some awfully wayward shots.
Not an inspiring game but both teams can take from the game the fact that they kept a clean sheet as both sides have struggled defensively during this year’s campaign.
Shandong Luneng 0-0 Guizhou Renhe
The seasons first round of the bout of the oranges ended in a split decision as away side Guizhou couldn’t find a way passed the Shandong defence. Renhe made a real go of this game and looked like the side who anted it more. But Shandong’s back 5, marshalled superbly by goalie Wang Dalei, held up strong to secure a valuable point as they chase look to stay in the top three.
The home team looked a different side to the one that beat R&F midweek and playing their second game in 3 days showed in their sluggishness. In the end they should be happy with a point.
Hangzhou Greentown 1-1 Henan Jianye
Hangzhou would have loved to have picked up three points in this game, especially playing on their home turf. But a late goal, thanks to some rather poor goalkeeping from Gu Zhao (not for the first time this season), meant that the teams had to share the spoils.
It was a gutsy performance from Jianye who put up a fight and fully deserved to grab the equaliser late on through Xiao Zhi’s header. They will need more performances in this vane to avoid playing in a lower league next season.
Jiangsu Sainty 1-0 Shanghai East Asia
Sainty took on East Asia in the pouring rain, with the home side running out deserved victors. Player of the season candidate, Dejan, scored the lone goal of the game with a delightful after he found himself alone with the ‘keeper.
The rain meant that this game was a scrappy affair, but added a touch of heart to an important match for both sides. The win for Sainty means that they can go third, albeit that they have to win their game in hand by 8 goals.
Tianjin Teda 1-0 Shanghai Shenhua
This game was decided by a goal of the season contender by Tianjin’s Li Benjian. The midfielder go the ball in the middle of the park about 35 yards out, took one touch to steady himself and then fired a missile into the top left corner with his left foot that left even his own coach with his jaw on the ground.
The home side absolutely dominated proceedings after coming out from the first whistle by taking the game to their visitors. If they continue with this philosophy, and if forward Carmelo Valencia can find his touch, then they will be a very exciting team to watch in the second half of the season.
Shanghai Shenxin 0-2 Changchun Yatai
Changchun traveled to Shanghai and looked like a top half of the log team as opposed to the bottom half team that they are. They were fortunate to take the lead midway through first half through a Yu Tao own goal. They put the game to bed with 8 minutes to play after Eninho converted an obvious penalty.
Shenxin should be worried about how badly they were outplayed. They will look to turn things around against Dalian when they travel up north in a week’s time.
Beijing Guoan 1-1 Guangzhou Evergrande
The game of the season up until this point and what a game it turned out to be. Filled with the quality and fiery passion you’d expect from the league’s two best team, its a big surprise that their wasn’t a red card. Things took off in the second half with studs up tackles, late hits and even elbows coming in from every angle. It ended 1-1, a result that Evergrande will be very happy with after being outplayed for most of the game.
After opening the scoring early on, Beijing conceded late in the first half to go into half time at 1-1. The second half was almost entirely played in Guangzhou’s half but the capital’s team failed to find the back of the net, which would have seen them leapfrog Guangzhou at the top of the table.
