Matchday 10 of the Chinese Super League (CSL) served up drama as Chengdu Rongcheng edged past last season’s runners-up Shanghai Shenhua 1-0 on Friday, vaulting to the top of the table on goal difference.
Under the floodlights in Sichuan Province, Shenhua threatened first when Zhu Chenjie’s looping header rattled the crossbar in the 23rd minute, a near-miss that set the tone for a cagey affair.
Four minutes later, the hosts broke the deadlock. A crowded scramble ended with former Brazil U23 forward Romulo poking in his sixth goal of the season, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Shenhua piled on the pressure after halftime, but Joao Teixeira saw his free kick crash back off the post, and a second bookable offence in stoppage time left him walking back to the dressing room early.
With this slender win, Chengdu leapfrogged Shenhua on goal difference, pushing the visitors into second. Beijing Guoan and two-time defending champions Shanghai Port complete the top four as the title race heats up.
Elsewhere, Qingdao West Coast delivered a statement in a 3-1 victory over Meizhou Hakka. Davidson’s thunderous strike cannoned back off the bar before Abdul-Aziz Yakubu tapped in the rebound for the opener.
Yakubu then turned creator 11 minutes into the second half, setting up Duan Liuyu for a confident finish that doubled the lead and put Qingdao in control.
With momentum on their side, Nelson da Luz wound through the Meizhou defence to slot home Qingdao’s third. Branimir Jocic pulled one back for the visitors late on, but it proved only a consolation.
Qingdao climbed to seventh place, while Meizhou sit 10th after ten rounds of high-stakes action in one of Asia’s most competitive leagues.
As young talents and global stars collide every week, the CSL’s mix of tactical battles and flair continues to paint an exciting picture for fans—and contenders—across the world.
Reference(s):
CSL: Chengdu edge Shanghai Shenhua to go top, QWC defeat Meizhou
cgtn.com
