Shenhua held goalless at home but SIPG slumps
Print Edition
SHANGHAI Greenland Shenhua’s goalless draw with Shijiazhuang Ever Bright at Hongkou Stadium last night kept the team firmly in mid-table of the Chinese Super League but the surprise of the 12th round of matches was Shanghai SIPG’s first home defeat of the season on Friday.
SIPG lost 3-4 to Shandong Luneng, which took over top spot in the table.
Greenland Shenhua began aggressively yesterday but it was Shijiazhuang that created more threatening chances in the first half. Striker Mao Jianqing, a former Shenhua player, hit the post in the 25th.
Hongkou Stadium’s post again came to the hosts’ rescue in the opening minute of the second half, while the visitors had goalkeeper Guan Zhen to thank as he pulled off some cool saves. The former China Olympic team stopper played a superb second half. In the 55th minute, an accurate pass from Shenhua’s Australian international Tim Cahill found teammate Wang Yun in the box, whose close header was neatly snatched by Guan. Guan also blocked a powerful shot from Shenhua’s Colombian midfielder Giovanni Moreno.
Cahill suffered an injury to his forehead in a clash with Shijiazhuang’s Xu Bo when battling for a header in the 70th and had to receive medical care before returning to the game with his head wrapped in plaster and his bloodied jersey changed. His total commitment could not, however, lift Greenland Shenhua to a first victory in its last five matches.
“It’s a pity we didn’t manage to make good use of all the chances we had — neither did our opponent,” Greenland Shenhua head coach Francis Gillot said afterwards. “Despite the loss, I’m happy with my players’ performance on the pitch.”
The draw means Greenland Shenhua is placed 8th in the 16-team standing on 15 points. Shijiazhuang is 7th on 16.
In the CSL round’s highlight match on Friday, Shanghai SIPG suffered its first home defeat of the season after losing 3-4 to Shandong at Shanghai Stadium despite a brace by Argentine midfielder Dario Leonardo Conca — one from the penalty spot.
Both teams, along with Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing Guo’an, were atop the CSL standing, on 22 points, before the game.
Referee Ma Ning awarded a total of four penalties in the match — two for each side. Both of SIPG’s penalties were a result of action from young defender He Guan, who was in tears after the final whistle.
“We conceded six goals in the first 10 rounds, but have given up six more in the last two matches, which means our defense has encountered some problem,” SIPG head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said after the match.
With the victory Shandong has a three-point advantage over SIPG, Evergrande and Guo’an. Defending champion Evergrande takes on Guizhou Renhe today, with Guo’an playing host to last-placed Shanghai Shenxin tomorrow.
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