Beijing Guoan defeated the newly merged Shanghai Shenhua 2-0 in the
first round of the Chinese Soccer Super League (CSL) 2007 season on
Saturday, their first victory in Shanghai since China's
professional football league began 13 years ago.
Manager Lee Jang Soo fielded an all-Chinese starting line-up for
Guoan. The team looked weak on paper compared with their rivals
that are replete with high-priced international players.
However, Guoan proved the old football adage that the quality,
not the faces, of a team is the decisive factor on the field.
Playmaker Tao Wei converted a penalty, gained by Guo Hui, in the
13th minute to open the lead for Beijing.
Home side Shenhua barreled forward seeking an equalizer but
achieved nothing, unable to convert their goal-scoring
opportunities.
They came close with a goal in a 15th-minute corner kick, but no
Shenhua player was on hand to convert an easy head. The Shanghai
side also squandered a close-range opportunity in a later
melee.
Shanghai's offense didn't improve in the second half, even after
Guoan's core defender Xu Yunlong came off injured.
Shanghai's attempts to gain an opening victory for this season
were finally crushed after they conceded a second goal ten minutes
from time.
In Jinan, defending champions Shandong Luneng proved they have
maintained their offensive edge despite losing former playmaker
Zheng Zhi, now playing for Premiership side Charlton.
Youngster Cui Peng scored a brace of goals and gained a penalty
for Shandong in a 5-2 triumph over Liaoning. The win secured
Shandong top place after the first round.
In other matches, Wuhan tied Tianjian 1-1, in the day's second
one-all draw after the match between Zhejiang and Qingdao. Shenzhen
and Shaanxi played to a goalless bore draw.
(CRI March 5, 2007)
