Jiangsu Suning celebrate after winning the first CSL championship in franchise history in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, November 12, 2020. /CFP
Jiangsu Suning defeated Guangzhou Evergrande 2-1 in the Chinese Super League championship second-leg game on Thursday night, winning the first CSL title in Suning's franchise history.
Neither side scored in the first-leg match. Having won the championship eight times, Evergrande tried to pin down Suning with offense from the beginning. However, Suning's defense worked like a barrier, keeping Evergrande at least 10 meters from the box area. As a result, though Evergrande seemed powerful and dynamic, they barely threatened Suning's goal.
Eder (#23) of Jiangsu Suning celebrates after scoring the first goal in the CSL championship second-leg game against Guangzhou Evergande in Suzhou, November 12, 2020. /CFP
By contrast, Suning actually caused more trouble for Evergrande with their sharp counterattack. Alex Teixeira and Eder threw Evergrande's defenders into confusion from time to time with their penetration. Finally, in the 44th minute, Suning intercepted the ball in the backfield before Teixeira sprinted toward Evergrande's penalty area. Evergrande's He Chao had no other choice but to take him down, a move that earned He a red card.
Having checked the video assistant referee (VAR), the referee decided it was not a penalty, but a free kick on the edge of the box. Eder's shot broke through the wall and flew into Evergrande's goal. The shot was so fast and strong that goalkeeper Liu Dianzuo could not even attempt stop it.
Suning led 1-0 after the first half and had the number advantage 11-10.
Alex Teixeira (#10) of Jiangsu Suning celebrates after scoring the second goal in the CSL championship second-leg game against Guangzhou Evergande in Suzhou, November 12, 2020. /CFP
Evergrande's misfortune was not over. Two minutes into the second half of the game, Suning again intercepted the ball in the backfield. Wu Xi's pass flew over Evergrande's defenders to Teixeira, who then beat Jiang Guangtai. With a volley from his left foot, Teixeira made it 2-0 for Suning.
Evergrande invested more effort in attacking from the right wing, but it did not work very well. By contrast, in the 61st minute, Zhong Yihao broke through Suning's defense from the left and found Wei Shihao in front of the goal with a sharp cross. Wei scored for Evergrande with a brilliant header, 2-1.
Wei Shihao (#7) of Guangzhou Evergrande scores a goal in the CSL championship second-leg game against Jiangsu Suning in Suzhou, November 12, 2020. /CFP
Neither side was able to make a shot in the rest of the game. Suning ended their streak of four consecutive runner-up finishes and for the first time added their name to the CSL champions list.
Exclusive interview with Jiangsu Suning captain Wu Xi
(Video via Sports Scene)