Zahavi scores hat-trick as Guangzhou R&F win derby

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Israeli forward Eran Zahavi scored a hat-trick to help Guangzhou R&F edge past defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande 5-4 in the first round of the new Chinese Super League (CSL) season, which got underway on Friday.

Zahavi drew first blood right after the kick-off when he fired in a long ranger from outside the box in the very first minute. The Israeli international soon doubled R&F's lead as he scored again nearly from the same spot through a counter-attack.

However, Guangzhou Evergrande weren’t ready to concede a defeat in their season-opener derby at home and gradually took control of the game as Brazilian striker Alan scored three goals in a row in the 13th, 38th and 44th minutes to turn the tide 3-2 in favor of the home side.

Alan celebrating scoring. /VCG Photo‍

Yu Hanchao of Evergrande could have scored before half-time, but his powerful shot was denied by the bar. When a resurgent Evergrande seemed to win the game with ease, Zahavi stood out once again to complete his hat-trick three minutes into the second half as he netted in a pass off teammate Renatinho.

Junior Urso's long shot in the 64th minute didn't seem to be promising, but Evergrande goalkeeper Liu Dianzuo made a poor save, only to see the ball slip into the net. Evergande soon made a response, as Brazilian striker Ricardo Goulart found the equalizer through a penalty kick in the 68th minute.

A header from Xiao Zhi in close range in the 74th minute put R&F ahead again and the visitors kept the scoreboard unchanged till the end.

In other first round games, Tianjin Quanjian crushed Henan Jianye 4-0 and Shanghai Greenland tied Changchun Yatai 1-1.