Zhang Yuning scores twice as Guoan keeps hope of winning CSL alive

SUZHOU -- Striker Zhang Yuning scored twice as Beijing Guoan defeated Changchun Yatai 2-1 in the Chinese Super League (CSL) here on Thursday.

In the season, 16 CSL teams were divided into Group A and Group B, the top four teams of each group will enter the "Championship Zone" after the end of the first phase, while the other eight teams will be allocated into "Relegation Zone."

In order to enter the "Championship Zone" and keep their hopes of grabbing the CSL trophy alive, Beijing Guoan set a three-striker formation.

The 2009 CSL winner dominated possession with 52 percent of the ball and had further first-half chances when facing the division leader Changchun Yatai, but Wang Ziming shot over the bar.

Guoan broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Cedric Bakambu's shot came back off the bar before Zhang Yuning headed in. On 74 minutes, Junior Negao of Yatai equalized through a low shot.

In the last minute of regular time, Zhang netted the winner for Guoan after collecting Yu Dabao's ferry.

In the game against Shanghai Port, Hebei FC dominated the first half and Yin Hongbo's close range powerful shot brought them a lead in the 34th minute.

Shanghai Port wasted lots of chances, trailing 1-0 before the halftime break. Yu Hai of Shanghai Port was shown red at the beginning of the second half while Hebei FC tried to double their advantage.

Zhang Hui of Hebei forced Yan Junling into a good save in the 59th minute. Yan, the Chinese international goalkeeper denied Samir Memisevic's penalty kick eight minutes later.

Li Shenglong could have levelled up for Shanghai Port in the 80th minute, but his header went wide.

In the other two CSL matches played on Thursday, Wuhan won over Dalian Pro 2-1, while Shanghai Shenhua beat the Tianjin Jinmen Tigers 1-0.

In the Suzhou division, fifth-placed Guoan, one point behind, will set a clash against the forth-placed Shanghai Shenhua on Sunday.

Also Saturday, Hebei, who has the same record as Shenhua, will face Wuhan in the last round of the first phase.