Shanghai SIPG beat Beijing Guoan to keep pace with leaders Guangzhou in CSL
CGTN
Defending champions Shanghai SIPG keep their challenge alive in CSL title race after winning Beijing Guoan. /VCG Photo

Defending champions Shanghai SIPG keep their challenge alive in CSL title race after winning Beijing Guoan. /VCG Photo

Shanghai SIPG kept Chinese Super League (CSL) leaders Guangzhou Evergrande within touching distance as Vitor Pereira's side beat Beijing Guoan 2-0 away on Saturday.

SIPG's forward Marko Arnautovic missed the game due to the Euro 2020 qualifier, but the Austrian's absence mattered little as SIPG comfortably took three points in Beijing to stay three points behind the leaders.

Li Shenglong's 48th minute header breaks the deadlock as Odil Akhmedov sent a fierce shot following the pass of Chen Binbin in 65th minute to secure a 2-0 victory for Shanghai SIPG.

SIPG striker Li Shenglong dedicated the team's success to its overall defense. "We did a good job in defense," he said. "Now it's too early to consider the game against Guangzhou Evergrande, we will keep focus on the next game with Dalian Yifang."

Replacing Beijing Guoan as the second, Shanghai SIPG has four rounds to go through. The defending champion, who will play Guangzhou Evergrande on November 23, kept their challenge alive for the CSL title.

Meanwhile, Shandong Luneng cruised to a 3-1 win over Guangzhou R&F, sealing the second victory against the opponent this season.

With four CSL rounds remaining, Guangzhou Evergrande now ranks at the top with 62 points while Shanghai SIPG, Beijing Guoan and Shandong Luneng are coming from behind for the title race.