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China: C-League title race opens up [Mon Sep 5th, 2005]
The Chinese Super League suddenly changed its complexion as Tianjin Teda’s Yu Genwei inflicted Dalian Shide’s second defeat of the season and second-placed Shanghai Shenhua scored a vital winner to close the gap at the top to seven points.
The runaway leaders had taken the lead through prolific striker Zou Jie in the 40th minute, but Genwei levelled the scores just after the restart and struck in the dying seconds to shock the seven-time champions.
Shanghai Shenhua in second took advantage of Dalian’s rare slip-up by emerging victorious from a hard-fought encounter with bottom club Chongqing Qiche. Saul Martinez gave Shanghai a lead in the opening minute but the hosts hit back on the half-hour mark.
With almost the last kick of the game however, striker Xie Hui scored what could turn out to be a vital winner.
Shandong Luneng in fourth took all three points from struggling Shenyang Ginde thanks to a 10th minute goal from Li Xiaoping.
Elsewhere, Wuhan Huangelhou in fifth lost more ground after being held to a goalless draw by Shanghai Zobon and defending champions Shenzhen Jianlibao went down 2-0 at Sichuan Guancheng. Sixth-placed Beijing Hyundai gave Liaoning FC a rare three points.
Top 5 standings:
1. Dalian Shide 50 2: Shanghai Shenhua 43 3: Tianjin Teda 38 4: Shandong Luneng 36 5: Wuhan Huanghelou 34
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