Shanghai Shenhua soars, SIPG slumps

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Shanghai Daily, July 25, 2016
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 Shanghai Shenhua's captain Moreno hits the winner for his team. 

Shanghai Greenland Shenhua edged Shandong Luneng 1-0 in a Chinese Super League match in Jinan last night thanks to a Giovanni Moreno goal. It was just the second away victory for Shenhua this season.

Following the midweek 1-2 loss to Shijiazhuang Ever Bright, Shenhua needed to reorganize its forward line in the absence of Demba Ba. The Senegal striker will miss the rest of the season due to a leg fracture, but he is tipped to return to competition as early as the next season following successful surgery on Friday.

The only goal came in the 32nd minute when Moreno dribbled past Shandong defender Li Songyi and committed a long shot from the top of the box. The ball went past former Shenhua goalie Wang Dalei, flying into the right corner of the goal. Shenhua is now fifth in the standings on 31 points

In a Saturday match, Shanghai SIPG lost 1-3 to 10th-placed Liaoning Whowin in Shenyang. Jean Evrard Kouassi scored the opener for SIPG in the 32nd on an assist from Elkeson. Liaoning's Zambian striker James Chamanga equalized eight minutes into the second half. The hosts scored two more goals in the next 15 minutes to claim a crucial victory.

SIPG's Dario Conca, who was back from a leg injury, was sent on as a substitute in the 62nd. However, the Argentine felt a discomfort in his leg again after playing for 20 minutes, and had to be replaced. SIPG head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson pointed to his players' lack of fighting spirit in the second half. The Swede said the team has work to do on its defense.

SIPG has been hit by injuries, including a knee knock striker Hulk picked up in his CSL debut on July 10. The team has conceded eight goals in its last three league matches. SIPG is joint third with Hebei China Fortune on 33 points, five points less than Jiangsu Suning. Jiangsu beat Henan Jianye 4-1 yesterday. Defending champion Guangzhou Evergrande continues to top the table on 45 points and has a match in hand.

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