The latest round of matches began with a big surprise as unbeaten Guangzhou R&F suffered their first reverse of the season. Newly promoted Guizhou came back from conceding a goal in the first minute itself and won 3-1 away at the table toppers.
Guangzhou had the best possible start as Eran Zahavi scored within the first minute itself. Guizhou’s Michael Olunga levelled things up midway through the first half. Unsurprisingly, Guangzhou enjoyed an astonishing 66% of possession. Renatinho made his comeback from injury in the second half and played decent enough. But Nikicia Jelavic scored 2, the second coming deep into extra time to secure a 3-1 win for the visitors. Guizhou had Jiang Liang sent off late on for receiving a second booking for dissent.
Knowing a win would take them level on points with Guangzhou R&F, Guangzhou Evergrande went to struggling Henan Jianye. Last season’s top scorer Ricardo Goulart scored a sublime hat-trick as Guangzhou won 4-2. Ricardo opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Eddie Gomes levelled things up. After that it was all Guangzhou as Goulart grabbed his second and Linpeng Zhang made it 3-1 before the breather. Goulart completed his hat trick with a quarter of an hour to spare. Christian Bassogog made it 4-2 with a consolation goal.
The other contending team Shanghai SIPG went to Chongqing Lifan knowing a win would see them draw level with Guangzhou R&F. Hulk had a rare off day and Oscar was not his scintillating best as Shanghai were pegged back to a 1-1 draw. Shanghai made 2 substitutions as early as the 20th minute and led in the second half through a Guan He goal. They looked set for another win but Jie Din grabbed a late winner in stoppage time.
Jiangsu Sunning travelled to Tianjin Quanjian without a win under their belt. They got off to the worst possible start as Alexandre Pato put Quanjian ahead inside a quarter of an hour. Jiangsu enjoyed a period of sustained pressure before the half ended and were rewarded with a goal. Alex Teixeira made it 1-1. Pato score his and Quanjian’s second in the second half before former Chelsea teammate Ramires evened it up once again. Tianjin looked for a winner but Jiangsu hung on.
Another team without a win Yanbian Funde welcomed fellow strugglers Changchun Yatai. Jin Bao who only came on after 11 minutes scored what turned out to be the winner for Yanbian. The result saw them move out of the relation places and ahead of opponents Changchun into 13th.
Capital club Beijing Guoan visited Liaoning Whowin looking to continue their good form. Without star man Burak Yilmaz, Beijing managed to score 4 goals courtesy a brace from Renato Augusto, Jonathan Soriano, Dabao Yu. Liaoning’s Assani Lukimya and James Chamanga completed the score line.
The last match of the weekend saw Tianjin TEDA travel to Heibei China. It was a trip to forget as the match was done and dusted in the first half itself. Surprise Surprise! Ezequiel Lavezzi managed to get on the scoresheet not once but twice and managed to set up another for Stephanie Mbia. Chengdong Zhang completed the scoreline and secured an emphatic 4-0 win for Pellegrini.
The Shanghai Shenhua V Shandong Luneng match has been postponed to September to allow for repair works to be carried out on the Hongkou Stadium after a fire broke out last month.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Ricardo Goulart is the Power Player of the Week as he managed to get a hattrick against Chongqing Lifan and further Guangzhou’s championship push.
GOALKEEPER
Yang Cheng, Heibei China – One of only 2 goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet this weekend. Gets the nod for being consistent throughout the match.
DEFENDERS
Linpeng Zhang, Guangzhou Evergrande – Scored a goal and was decent at the back.
Wu Yongchun, Yanbian Funde – Kept a clean sheet and was composed all throughout the match.
Hang Ren, Heibei China – Helped his team keep a clean sheet.
Piao Shihao, Yanbian Funde – The second player from Yanbian to make an appearance in defence. Was excellent at the back and was always looking to get involved in attacks.
MIDFIELD
Chengdong Zhang, Hebei China – Despite being an attacking midfielder, Zhang plays in the right side of our 3 man midfield. Scored, assisted and even hit the woodwork once.
Min Junlin, Guizhou – The man in the centre of the park. Absolutely overran Guangzhou R&F’s midfield and played a vital role in helping his team to a 3-1 surprise win.
Nikicia Jelavic, Guizhou – Like Zhang, Jelavic plays in midfield due to the massive performances at the top. Scored a brace and looked good for a hat trick.
ATTACK
Alexandre Pato, Tianjin Quanjian – Scored a brace and helped secure a vital point for Tianjin.
Ricardo Goulart, Guangzhou Evergrande – Scored a hat trick. Secured a vital win for his team.
Ezequiel Lavezzi, Hebei China – Scored twice and assisted for his teams 3rd. Superb display all round.
CHINESE FA CUP ROUND 3 MATCHES
Lijiang Feihu V Shanghai Shenhua
Jilin Baijia V Shandong Luneng
Meixian Techand V Guangzhou Evergrande
Shenzhen Kaisa V Heibei China Fortune
Suzhou Dongwu V Yanbian Funde
Hangzhou Greentown V Liaoning Whowin
Jiangxi Liansheng V Jiangsu Suning
Hohhot V Changchun Yatai
Qingdao Huanghai V Guangzhou R&F
Shanghai Jiading Chengfa V Tianjin TEDA
Shanghai Sunfun V Henan Jianye
Heilongjiang Lava Spring V Chongqing Dangdai Lifan
Beijing Renhe V Beijing Sinobo Guoan
Dalian Yifang V Tianjin Quanjian
Shanghai Shenxin V Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng
Shijiazhuang Ever Bright V Shanghai SIPG