In a thrilling rescheduled clash of the Chinese Super League (CSL), Shanghai Port edged out Meizhou Hakka with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday in Meizhou, Guangdong Province. This win propels Shanghai Port to the top of the table as the 2024 season heats up.
The first half was dominated by Shanghai Port, who created numerous scoring opportunities. Despite Tyrone Conraad finding the net for Hakka in the 34th minute, the goal was disallowed for offside, keeping the score level. Cheng Yuelei, Hakka's goalkeeper, was a standout performer, making several crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
Momentum shifted in the second half when Leo Cittadini capitalized on a chaotic corner kick, scoring the opening goal for Shanghai Port in the 54th minute. Although there was controversy as Cittadini appeared to handle the ball, the referee upheld the goal after reviewing the replay. Fueled by this decision, Hakka's players became more aggressive, which Wu Lei exploited to secure the second goal for Port in the 67th minute.
The game intensified as Hakka struggled to regain their composure. Ye Chugui received a second yellow card in the 69th minute, leaving Hakka with ten men on the field. Despite Yang Chaosheng's effort to level the score in the 78th minute, the goal was ruled out for offside. However, Hakka found the net in the 84th minute through a volley by Nebojsa Kosovic, but it was too late to change the outcome.
This defeat ends Meizhou Hakka's three-game undefeated streak, while Shanghai Port solidifies their position at the summit of the CSL standings. Fans can look forward to more exciting matches as the season progresses.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com