Soccer
10:18, 13-May-2019
CSL: Guoan beat Shenzhen to remain unbeaten, Luneng lose to SIPG
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Cedric Bakambu scored two first-half goals to lead Beijing Guoan ease past Shenzhen FC 3-0 on Sunday, claiming their ninth consecutive victory to stay top of Chinese Super League with a perfect record.
Beijing went five points clear of second-placed Shanghai SIPG as they keep creating the best season-opening performance in China's top flight history.
Bakambu fired Beijing ahead after 12 minutes assisted by Zhang Yuning's clever pass then doubled the lead with his fourth league goal of the season seven minutes later.
Zhang Yuning (2nd L) of Beijing Guoan vies for the ball with the players of Shenzhen FC during the CSL Round 9 match at Workers' Stadium, Beijing, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo
Zhang Yuning (2nd L) of Beijing Guoan vies for the ball with the players of Shenzhen FC during the CSL Round 9 match at Workers' Stadium, Beijing, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo
Brazilian midfielder Renato Augusto got on the scoresheet when he swept home Zhang Yuning's pass in the 62th minutes.
"I should have made the hat-trick tonight, but the most important thing for me is to help the team get three points," Bakambu said. " I really enjoy pairing up with Zhang Yuning, and hope we can play together more in the future."
A stunning last minute penalty from Hulk saw defending champions Shanghai SIPG snatch a thrilling 2-1 victory over Shandong Luneng.
Hulk (L) of Shanghai SIPG looks at the direction of a header during the CSL Round 9 match against Shandong Luneng at Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou, China, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo
Hulk (L) of Shanghai SIPG looks at the direction of a header during the CSL Round 9 match against Shandong Luneng at Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou, China, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo
Shandong were in front one minute after the opening whistle when Roger Krug Guedes scored from a long pass from goalkeeper Wang Dalei. After down to 10 men in the 71st minute, Shanghai shocked the visitors three minutes later as Li Shenglong crossed for Elkeson to drew level.
Shandong felt upset as Gil's 95th-minute goal was disallowed for offside, but things went worse when the host were awarded a penalty with the help of a VAR review in the 11th minute of the stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Tianjin Tianhai lost to Guangzhou R&F 1-2 while Guangzhou Evergrande made a 2-2 draw with Jiangsu Suning.
After nine rounds, Beijing Guoan stand top with 27 points, Shanghai SIPG haven 22, and the third-placed Guangzhou Evergrande 19. Chongqing SWM surpassed Shandong Luneng and Jiangsu Suning to be fourth.
(Cover: Cedric Bakambu of Beijing Guoan (R) vies for the ball during the CSL Round 9 match against Shenzhen FC at Workers' Stadium, Beijing, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo)
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency