Shanghai SIPG win CSL title to end Guangzhou dominance

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02:37

After a 2-1 victory over Beijing Renhe in the 29th round on Wednesday night, Shanghai SIPG broke Guangzhou Evergrande's seven-year dominance to win the Chinese Super League (CSL) for the first time.

Before the match, SIPG came in with a five-point lead in the standings and needed only a draw to clinch the title.

It didn't take long for Shanghai to open the scoring. In the 20th minute, Uzbekistan midfielder Odil Akhmedov made a brilliant turn outside the area and then fired a superb shot into the top corner.

SIPG doubled the lead two minutes into the second half when the league's top scorer, Wu Lei made the most of an opportunity from close range. Wu added his personal goal to 27 which broke the home footballer goal record kept by Li Jinyu.

Beijing Renhe clawed back with one goal at the 64th minute, when Senegalese striker Makhete Diop made a right-footed shot from the right side of the box to the top right corner assisted by teammate Liu Jian.

Shanghai SIPG striker Wu Lei celebrates after scoring a goal. /VCG Photo

Forward Wu was arguably the standout performer over the last eight months, topping the CSL scoring charts with 27 goals, including his deflected strike against Beijing.

“It was not easy. This is our dream for many years. We finally won the championship after we were upgraded to the CSL. It was not easy,” Wu said after the match.

The victory meant Shanghai SIPG have won their first Chinese Super League title, snapping the seven-year run of Evergrande who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Chongqing SWM.

"We broke seven years of titles of Guangzhou and this is a big issue, a big challenge, and we won the challenge," SIPG coach Vitor Pereira said, with his winners' medal slung around his neck.

"(In my) first year in China. For my career, it is good for me, I am very happy.

"I hope next season we will be here again to fight for another title."

(With input from AFP.)