The bottom two sides, Yanbian Funde and Jiangsu Suning played out a 1-1 draw. Jiangsu deserved to win but could not make their dominance count. Jiangsu started the brighter of the two sides, but Yanbian took the lead in the 14th minute with their first shot on goal. Steve was the goal scorer. Jiangsu dominated for long periods but entered the breather trailing to Steve’s goal. Upon restart, it was more of the same as Jiangsu had a stranglehold on the game. They eventually equalised through an Alex Teixeira goal. Ramires was the provider.
League leaders Guangzhou Evergrande came from behind to win 3-2. Scolari-led Evergrande took the lead through Paulinho who was back to his best. Minutes later, Freddy Guarin equalised. Obafemi Martins handed Shenhua the advantage on the stroke of half-time. Guangzhou, inspired by Scolari’s half-time words, came out all guns blazing but could not find the equaliser. Hangchao Yu’s substitution turned a corner as Guangzhou equalized soon after through an own goal. Yu himself scored in the winner in the 86th minute as Guangzhou maintained their lead at the top.
The other Guangzhou side suffered their second defeat on the trot, after being undefeated since the campaign started. The defeat would sting even more considering the defeat came at the hands of Championship rivals Shandong Luneng. Guangzhou were outplayed for most of the match. A Zhi Chang brace in the space of seven minutes and Diego Tardelli’s hammer strike in the 60th minute sealed Guangzhou’s fate.
Shanghai SIPG won a controversial match against Guizhou Zhicheng. 3-0 winners on the back of a Hulk performance. There was apparently another Hulk performance in the tunnel, as allegations have arisen that he punched a rival coach. Shanghai had Hulk tee up Shenchao Wang for the breakthrough just before the half. Hulk himself scored in the 72nd minute. Elkeson completed the scoreline later on. Guizhou had Ryan McGowan sent off for a ‘professional’ handball.
Heibei were comfortable 4-1 winners against Beijing Guoan. Two Aloisio goals set up by Ezequiel Lavezzi. Lavezzi was also the provider for Yuhao Zhao’s goal. Jonathan Soriano was Beijing’s scorer while Li Hang scored Heibei’s first.
Tianjin TEDA and Liaoning Whowin drew 1-1. Both goals came after the 80th minute as Renatin Hu scored for Tianjin before a Ximing Pan own goal at the end of regulation time saved Liaoning’s skin.
Struggling Changchun Yatai managed to beat Tianjin Quanjian 3-1. An Anzur Ismailov goal five minutes into the game handed Changchun the lead. Axel Witsel equalised for Fabio Cannavaro’s side before a Szabolcs Huszti brace handed Changchun the win.
Two assists and a goal from Christian Bassogog helped Henan Jianye secure a 3-2 victory. Ahmad Al Salih, Jinghang Hu were the other scorers for Henan Jianye, while Qing Wu and Goran Milovic scored the goals for Chongqing Lifan to narrow the margin.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Christian Bassogog is the Power player of the week, scoring 1 and assisting 2.
GOALKEEPER
Dalei Wang, Shandong Luneng – Managed to keep top scorer Eran Zahawi out whilst keeping a clean sheet.
DEFENCE
Lin Dai, Shandong Luneng – Kept a clean sheet. Kept Renatinho and co. at bay.
Anzur Ismailov, Changchun Yatai – Scored a goal from defence. Put his body on the line and helped Changchun secure a vital win.
Shenchao Wang, Shanghai SIPG – Put in an accomplished performance at the heart of Shanghai’s defence. Provided the stability at the back and made vital tackles and clearances.
MIDFIELD
Long Tan, Changchun Yatai – Was the catalyst for Changchun’s important win. It might have been Huszti with the goals but Tan’s contribution cannot be overlooked.
Paulinho, Guangzhou Evergrande – Scored and helped win the midfield battle as Guangzhou Evergrande beat Shanghai Shenhua for a vital win.
Szabolcs Huszti, Changchun Yatai – Scored a brace and assisted Ismailov’s goal.
Aloisio, Heibei China – Scored two goals from the left as Heibei China ran out comfortable 4-1 winners.
FORWARDS
Ezequiel Lavezzi, Heibei China – Dished out three assists during Heibei’s 4-1 thrashing of Beijing Guoan.
Christian Bassogog, Henan Jianye – Played a part on all three of Henan’s goals. Scored a goal himself in his team’s 3-2 win.
Hulk, Shanghai SIPG – Despite the controversysurroundingg him, Hulk returns to our team of the week after a protracted absence. Scored one and set up another as Shanghai kept up the pressure on Guangzhou Evergrande.