Demba Ba rescues draw for Shanghai Shenhua

World
Europe

Shanghai Shenhua have ended their miserable run and finally showed some character, but their hard fought 1-1 draw with Jiangsu Suning on Saturday night still showed why both these teams, and their coaches, have underachieved this season.

Shenhua still haven't won in the Chinese Super League (CSL) and were on a run of three consecutive defeats, while Suning have won only one of their last five matches. That Shenhua's Wu Jingui has endured a much more trying time probably means he will be the much happier head coach.

"Suning boasts two fanatic attacking players in Alex Teixeira and Eder, but I I'm absolutely delighted that my team did exactly what I asked them to do before the match to be resilient and courageous," said Wu.

"We managed to repel their waves of attacks and ultimately grabbed a goal of our own. It's a great start and I'm sure we're going to keep getting better from here," he added.

Demba Ba comes to Shanghai Shenhua's rescue after scoring the equalizer in their league clash with Jiangsu Suning on Sept. 15. /VCG Photo

Suning certainly squandered their chance to beat the struggling Shenhua side, and it is remarkable to think that they had the lead against such a bad side yet still couldn't get the win.

This match started at a brilliant tempo and Suning took a deserved lead before the half-time whistle, when Eder created space on the right touchline for a cut back that Teixeira darted in to head home, but Cosmin Olaroiu's side, who looked so impressive in attack, did not build on their advantage.

The highly organized Shenhua hit back early in the second period from one of their few chances as former Chelsea striker Demba Ba shrugged off Yang Tianxiao and bundled home Fredy Guarin's whipped cross at the back post.

Suning went all out in pursuit of a winner and came agonizingly close to finding it as Wu Xi and Wang Song lashed wide while Eder and Yang Tianxiao denied by Shenhua goalkeeper Li Shuai.

Chongqing Lifan players celebrate with their supporters after they earn vital three points against relegation rivals Henan Jianye on Sept. 15. /VCG Photo

They had to settle for a point and remain three points adrift of fourth placed Shandong Luneng, who host Guangzhou R&F on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Odion Ighalo, Nemanja Pejcinovic and Adrian Mierzejewski helped Changchun Yatai end their four-match winless run while a Alan Kardec header saw Chongqing Lifan get a vital 1-0 win over relegation rivals Henan Jianye.