China

Beijing climbs to 2nd in standings after Dalian win

(CRI)
Updated: 2007-04-16 08:30

Walter Martinez contributed two goals and rising star Yan Xiangchuang netted another to lift victory-thirsty Beijing Guoan over Dalian Shide 3-1 in a Chinese Football Super League match on Sunday.

It's the seventh victory the Beijing side has earned out of a total of 27 clashes between the two powerhouses. The Dalian side has won 12 of them.

Walter Martinez stretches his arms to celebrate his goal in a CSL match on Sunday, April 15, 2007. He is doubtless the key to the victory, the 7th win Beijing Guoan has achieved in the clashes with Dalian Shide. [Sportsphoto.cn]

With the home win, Beijing Guoan which achieved a flying start in the season, but later fell into a three-draw slump, climbed to second place in the standings.

The win also helped pressure-ridden Lee Jang Soo, who was rumored to have lost ground in the club after the winless series, regain the team's trust.

Dalian Shide took the initiative in the beginning to put constant pressure on Lee Jang Soo and his team, who were determined to play defensively throughout the match.

However, Lee's team, a favorite in the title competition, succeeded in proving they can also do well in offense.

Martinez, a Honduran international, put a grounder shot into the low left corner of Dalian's goal in the 21st minute after catching a feed from Zhang Shuai and breaking up the rival's offside trap.

The Dalian side closed in on an equalizer in a 36th minute melee in Beijing's box. However, Zhang Yaokun's diving header was shielded by a defender on the goal line.

Dalian spared no efforts offensively, but they paid for their negligence in defense. Beijing again battered the visiting team just seconds into the second half after youngster Yan Xiangchuang burst into the box and finished off an easy goal.

Martinez made it 3-0 in the 74th minute by sending in a comfortable cross from Zhang Shuai that fellow striker Du Wenhui missed.

Dalian Shide fought back with an only goal from Darko Delinic.

In other matches, Wuhan rallied for an unexpected win over mighty Shandong, Qingdao beat Shaanxi 3-1 and Henan tied with Shenzhen 0-0.