Advanced Search

Related News

Home » Sports » Soccer

AVB sees red in Shanghai derby as SIPG ends Shenhua’s unbeaten home streak

By Ma Yue | 18:30 UTC+8 May 20, 2017 | Online Edition

SHANGHAI SIPG head coach Andre Villas-Boas was sent off in a fiery Shanghai derby with Hulk again on target as SIPG beat Greenland Shenhua 3-1 at Hongkou Football Stadium today.

The match was tied 1-1 at half time but Hulk’s goal in the 89th minute proved to be vital before an own goal dashed any hopes of a Shenhua fightback in this keenly contested match. Greenland Shenhua manager Gus Poyet described the result as “heart-breaking” that he found hard to accept.

Poyet’s compatriot AVB was sent off by referee Zhou Gang for complaining about the five minutes stoppage time in the match.

The match was played at Hongkou Football Stadium nearly two months after a fire broke out at the stadium. Six stands at the stadium remained closed over safety concern.

Shenhua’s Argentine striker Tevez again missed the match due to injury, while SIPG started with its Brazilian trio of Hulk, Oscar and Elkeson.

Both teams started aggressively. SIPG made its first substitution in the sixth minute when its U23 player Zhang Huachen was withdrawn following a tackle by Shenhua midfielder Cao Yunding.

Both Hulk and Wu Lei tested Shenhua’s goalie Li Shuai. Shenhua’s Fredy Guarin and Mao Jianqing were also denied by SIPG goalie Yan Junling. Then in the 35th minute Wu Lei scored for the visitors after Shenhua defender Li Jianbin failed to clear the ball in the box.

Shenhua struck in the 41st minute when Obafemi Martins pulled one back following an assist by captain Giovanni Moreno. The equalizer seemed to give the home side a boost with Shenhua almost going ahead just before the break when Mao Jianqing’s header just tipped the bar.

Both sides appeared keen on a result with three Shenhua players picking up yellow cards within the first 10 minutes of the second half.

SIPG’s Yan Junling blocked a powerful shot by Shenhua’s Cao Yunding in the 70th, which was the hosts’ best chance in the second half. Shenhua keeper Li Shuai also denied a close-range attempt by Hulk in the 81st.

Yan blocked another attempt by Shenhua’s Guarin in the 85th. Hulk’s attempt in the 89th was blocked by Shenhua defender Wang Lin but he reacted quickly to the rebound to put the visitors ahead. The excited Brazilian was shown a yellow card for removing his shirt for celebration.

In injury time, Oscar hit the bar but the ball struck Shenhua defender Li Qiuyun for an own goal.

“I’m happy to score and help the team win in a crucial match like this,” Hulk said after the game. “I had also scored in derby games in Portuguese league (for Porto).”

The result ended Shenhua’s 19-match unbeaten home streak at Hongkou.

“We had chances, but did not seize them,” Poyet said after the match. “The formation of the team was beginning to snap in the last 15 minutes, and it was obvious that the team that scores then would win the match. Unfortunately it did not happen to us.”

The Uruguayan said he was happy with the performance of his players.

“They did not play for a draw, but kept attacking… We were the home side. We played more aggressive in the latter part (and gave chances to the opponents).”

AVB did not attend the post-match conference. SIPG assistant coach Daniel said “everything was under control” during the match. “A lot of emotion is involved in a derby match, not only on the pitch but also on bench,” he said about AVB’s sending off.

SIPG remains second in the CSL table with 23 points – two less than leader Guangzhou Evergrande. Shenhua is seventh with 11 points.

Soccer



 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend