SIPG holds Guo’an to go top in CSL
Print Edition
Shanghai SIPG and Beijing Guo’an battled to a 0-0 draw at Beijing Worker’s Stadium last night in the marquee match-up of the Chinese Super League’s 20th round.
The result helped SIPG to climb to the top of the 16-team standing on 42 points — one more than defending champion Guangzhou Evergrande. Shandong Luneng is third on 40 points followed by Beijing with 39.
SIPG was awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the game after Beijing’s Darko Matic was penalized for a handball in the box. However, Davi’s weak shot was easily blocked by Beijing goalkeeper Yang Zhi.
SIPG’s powerful striker Asamoah Gyan was heavily marked by Beijing defenders throughout the match. His headers towards goal did not cause much problem for the in-form Yang.
Yang’s counterpart Yan Junling also had a good match, blocking two killer attempts by the hosts in the latter part of the match.
“The team is satisfied with the result,” SIPG defender Cai Huikang said in a post-match interview. “Guo’an is a strong team and, man-to-man, their players are also better than us. To get one point in an away game against Beijing is good enough.”
Winning streak
SIPG has never beaten Guo’an in the capital. The draw also ended the Shanghai team’s six-match winning streak in the CSL.
In a Saturday clash, Demba Ba scored again in Shanghai Greenland Shenhua’s 2-0 victory away to Chongqing Lifan.
Shenhua’s Australian international Tim Cahill was suspended for the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Defender Mohamed Sissoko also missed the game after the Mali international picked up an Achilles tendon injury during Shenhua’s league clash against Beijing last week. Sissoko has been sent by the club to Spain for treatment and is expected to return next month.
Second-half substitute Cao Yunding scored the opener for the visitors in the 83rd minute, making use of a misunderstanding between Chongqing defenders Liu Yu and Adrian Leijer.
Ba, who was marked by at least two Chongqing players whenever he touched the ball, created a chance for himself in injury time to seal the victory. He received a long pass from Shenhua goalie Geng Xiaofeng in the 93rd, overcame Chongqing’s Australian defender Leijer and beat goalie Sui Weijie with a lob.
Ba’s performance drew praise from assistant coach Rene Lobello who attended the post-match press conference for manager Francis Gillot, who was serving a one-match ban after being sent off in the clash against Beijing.
“He is a very experienced player, who controls the ball well. He is hard to defend against in one-on-one situations, and that creates chances for his teammates,” Lobello said.
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