Dalian Shide Keeps Leading PositionDalian Shide kept its leading status in the standings by beating the Xiamen Xiaxin 3-1 on Sunday in the 17th round of the Chinese soccer league.Before the match, Dalian's force have been sapped as both the head coach Milorad Kosanovic and two regular forwards have been banned since the last round. Facing a team whose striking force was largely blunted, Xiaxin failed to turn it in their favor as their fragile defence became liable to mistakes. Dalian was put ahead in the 25th minute through Xiaxin guard Shiyong who cleared a cross by striker Wei Yimin into his own net. About two minute from break Wei was involved in the second goal again as he caught the defense error to make it two. On 61st minute Xiaxin pulled one back through Wang Haibo but back Sun Jihai put the result beyond doubt 15 minutes from time. Dalian amassed 39 points on a 12-3-2 record, 7 points ahead of the closed rival Shanghai Shenhua, which fought to a scoreless tie with Chongqing Longxin. In the other matches of the round, defending champions Shandong Luneng suffered a road loss 3-0 to Shenyang Haishi and Beijing Guo 'an edged Sichuan Chuanxin 1-0 at home court. Tianjin Taida was eclipsed by Liaoning Fushun 4-0. Jilin Aodong smashed Yunnan Hongta 3-0 and Qingdao Hainiu bowed to Shenzhen Ping'an 0-1. |
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