In a thrilling Wednesday night of Chinese Super League action, Shanghai Shenhua mounted a late comeback to beat Qingdao Hainiu 3-2 and leapfrog to the top of the table. It was a game of momentum swings: Qingdao struck first in the 4th minute when Alves da Silva slotted home, but Shenhua answered almost immediately.
Early pressure paid off as Chen Jinyiâs pinpoint corner found Jiang Shenglong for a header equalizer. Moments later, another of Chenâs deliveries saw Wu Xiâs backheel hit the crossbar before Andre Luis nodded home, putting Shenhua ahead 2-1. Qingdao responded before halftime, converting a penalty to make it 2-2.
The second half belonged to Shenhua. In the 54th minute, Chen Jinyi once again delivered, and Joao Teixeira controlled beautifully before unleashing a powerful finish for the decisive 3-2 goal. With 17 points from seven matches, Shenhua top the leagueâevidence of their season-long resurgence.
Just hours earlier, Shanghai Port flexed their attacking muscle in a comprehensive 4-1 win over Tianjin Jinmen Tiger. Gabrielzinho, an own goal by Xie Weijun, and Leonardo built a 3-0 halftime lead. After the break, captain Wang Shenchao added a fourth, before Tianjinâs Xadas converted a late penalty. Port, with a game in hand, sit third and look set to challenge for the title.
Elsewhere in the CSL, Zhejiang FC and Meizhou Hakka played out a 2-2 draw, Chengdu Rongcheng and Yunnan Yukun shared the spoils at 1-1, and Dalian Yingbo extended their home unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory over Henan FC.
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Shanghai Shenhua top table after comeback, Port claim huge win
cgtn.com
