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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 27, 2001

Chongqing Suspends Dalian's Celebration for Sixth League Title

Chongqing Lifan held a depleted Dalian Shide 1-1 in the 22nd round of the Chinese first division soccer league on Sunday, suspending Dalian's celebration for its sixth league title at least for a week.

Dalian, which now tops the standings with 51 points with four more rounds to go, 11 points ahead of second-placed Shenzhen Kejian, can secure its six league championship with a win next week.


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Chongqing Lifan drew with Dalian Shide 1-1

Chongqing Lifan held a depleted Dalian Shide 1-1 in the 22nd round of the Chinese first division soccer league on Sunday, suspending Dalian's celebration for its sixth league title at least for a week.

Without three key players and playing a second game in a week, Dalian was shocked four minutes into action as Chongqing's Croatian striker Dean Racunica curved a free kick into the net. Dalian, champion in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2000, responded with a 17th-minute free kick by Hu Zhaojun, making it one-all.

The experienced Dalian then consolidated its defense to keep the draw. Dalian striker Hao Haidong, the league top scorer with 15 goals who helped northeast China's Liaoning province win the soccer crown at the Chinese National Games early this week, was sidelined on Sunday with fatigue. Dalian key players Sun Jihai and Li Ming had been suspended for each accumulating three bookable offenses.

Dalian, which now tops the standings with 51 points with four more rounds to go, 11 points ahead of second-placed Shenzhen Kejian, can secure its six league championship with a win next week.

Records of other teams

Brazilian Tiago Jorge Honorio stunned Tianjin Taida with a 30th second goal, helping Shenzhen triumph 2-1. Taida's Chinese international Yu Gengwei equalized at the 22nd minute and Fan Yuhong wrapped up Shenzhen's victory with eight minutes left. Liaoning Fushun kept its third place at the standings, beating Shanxi Guoli 3-1.

Shanghai Shenhua, runner-up at the Chinese National Games, placed fourth after nipping lowly Shenyang Jinde 1-0. Shenyang is set to be demoted as it has managed two wins and one draw in a lengthy 22 rounds. Qingdao Beer, second to last in the standings, looked drunken throughout the game, falling 1-0 at home to Yunan Hongta. Beijing Guo'an, whose slogan of "Fighting for First Place" has invited jeer and sneer after seven failed bids for the crown, is now languishing in 10th spot despite a 1-0 win over the Chinese Army on Sunday. Chinese international striker Su Maozhen scored twice to help former league winner Shandong Luneng outlast Sichuan Quanxing 4-2 in the day's other game.



Name: Dean Racunica

Nationality: Croatian

Date of birth: December 5, 1969

Height: 176cm

Weight: 73kg



Name: Hu Zhaojun

No.: 14

Date of birth: March 1, 1981

Height: 182cm

Weight: 75kg
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