Beijing Guoan defeated the newly merged Shanghai Shenhua 2-0 in the first round of the Chinese Soccer Super League (CSL) 2007 season on Saturday, their first victory in Shanghai since China's professional football league began 13 years ago.

Manager Lee Jang Soo fielded an all-Chinese starting line-up for Guoan. The team looked weak on paper compared with their rivals that are replete with high-priced international players.

However, Guoan proved the old football adage that the quality, not the faces, of a team is the decisive factor on the field.

Playmaker Tao Wei converted a penalty, gained by Guo Hui, in the 13th minute to open the lead for Beijing.

Home side Shenhua barreled forward seeking an equalizer but achieved nothing, unable to convert their goal-scoring opportunities.

They came close with a goal in a 15th-minute corner kick, but no Shenhua player was on hand to convert an easy head. The Shanghai side also squandered a close-range opportunity in a later melee.

Shanghai's offense didn't improve in the second half, even after Guoan's core defender Xu Yunlong came off injured.

Shanghai's attempts to gain an opening victory for this season were finally crushed after they conceded a second goal ten minutes from time.

In Jinan, defending champions Shandong Luneng proved they have maintained their offensive edge despite losing former playmaker Zheng Zhi, now playing for Premiership side Charlton.

Youngster Cui Peng scored a brace of goals and gained a penalty for Shandong in a 5-2 triumph over Liaoning. The win secured Shandong top place after the first round.

In other matches, Wuhan tied Tianjian 1-1, in the day's second one-all draw after the match between Zhejiang and Qingdao. Shenzhen and Shaanxi played to a goalless bore draw.

(CRI March 5, 2007)