Shanghai Port rode a wave of confident football on Wednesday, beating Henan 3-1 and tightening the chase behind CSL leaders Beijing Guoan. With this win, the two-time defending champions remain in fourth place, just four points shy of the summit.
The scoring opened in the 32nd minute when Leonardo’s clever backheel sent Li Xinxiang clear for a composed finish. Before halftime, Gabrielzinho, on loan from Portuguese club Moreirense, unleashed a thunderbolt into the roof of the net—his first goal for Port making it 2-0. Right before the break, Leonardo capitalized on a slick passing move to slot home one-on-one, sending the reigning titleholders into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Henan supporters found hope in the 70th minute as Frank Acheampong powered a header home to cut the deficit to 3-1. Even after Shanghai Port’s Feng Jin saw red late on, the visitors held firm to secure another three points and keep the pressure on the top spot.
Elsewhere in the CSL, Wuhan Three Towns fought back from a goal down to earn a 2-1 victory at Shenzhen New Peng City. The hosts opened the scoring early in the second half through Tiago Leonço, but a late penalty, won by Zhang Yujie’s challenge on Manuel Palacios, allowed Alexandru Tudorie to level the match. Fifteen minutes before full-time, Palacios sealed the comeback with a calm finish after an elegant take-down, lifting the 2022 champions to ninth spot, while Shenzhen remain in 13th.
With key fixtures shaping up in the coming weeks, Shanghai Port’s win serves as a statement that the title race is far from over—especially as global fans tune in to one of Asia’s most exciting leagues.
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Shanghai Port cruise past Henan to maintain pressure on Beijing Guoan
cgtn.com
