Guoan extend run, SIPG a point behind

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 Damjanovic scored two goals to inspire Guo'an's rout.



Beijing Guo'an and Shanghai SIPG both won in the 18th round of the Chinese Super League yesterday to maintain their one-two position in the league standings.

SIPG edged Guangzhou R&F 3-2 in a roller-coaster match at Guangzhou Yuexiushan Stadium. Dario Conca's powerful shot from outside of the box gave Shanghai the lead in the 12th minute. Guangzhou goalie Liu Dianzuo, standing in the near corner of the goal, seemed a bit unprepared for the attempt. Each side then missed a chance in the first half.

The hosts came back strongly in the second half, with two foreign players Jang Hyun-soo and Jeremy Bokila scoring within three minutes to help R&F grab the lead.

Conca then proved his worth to his team, scoring the equalizer in the 78th thanks to good work with Wu Lei and Evrard Kouassi. It was the Argentine's seventh goal for the team.

Emboldened by the equalizer, SIPG started putting pressure on the hosts, and was awarded with a free kick in front of the box in the closing minutes of the game. Conca's shot hit the defenders' wall but it was Wang Jiajie who reacted the quickest, stabbing home the winner.

The victory kept SIPG in second spot, on 38 points, a point less than Guo'an. The competition in the top half of the table remains fierce with Guangzhou Evergrande third on 37 and Shandong Luneng next on 36.

On Saturday, Tim Cahill scored again for Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in its 1-1 draw at Tianjin Teda. It was the Australian veteran's fourth goal in five games.

Partnering Cahill in attack was Shenhua's new big-name signing Demba Ba, who was making his CSL debut in Tianjin. The Senegal international came close to scoring his first goal for his new club, hitting the bar with a header in the 27th. He was substituted in the 82nd.

The visitors' goal came in the 60th when Shenhua was given a free-kick and organized a quick attack.

Lu Zheng sent a pass towards Cahill in the box, and the latter headed the ball into the top corner of the Teda goal. The former Everton striker celebrated with his trademark boxing punches in front of the corner flag.

Tianjin equalized in the 75th from a corner with Argentine striker Hernan Barcos scoring.

Greenland Shenhua's French head coach Francis Gillot was happy with Cahill's performance, telling the post-match press conference: "I have to emphasize that Cahill has been playing well since the very beginning of the season. I'm very honored to be able to work together with such a player. His hard work and self-discipline have helped him to his achievements."

Cahill also took over the captain's armband from Wang Yun when the latter was substituted in the 83rd.

Greenland Shenhua remained seventh in the CSL standings with 23 points. It next plays leader Beijing Guo'an at Hongkou Stadium on Wednesday.

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