Dalian Shide Maintains Momentum to Defend League Title

Dalian Shide Maintains Momentum to Defend League Title

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Defending champions Dalian Shide extended their winning streak to four matches when they defeated dark horse Shanxi Guoli 4-3, while their main rival Shanghai Shenhua was forced to a goalless tie with visiting Chongqing Lifan on Thursday in the fourth round of the Chinese first division soccer league.

Shide now have 12 points at the top of the standings, with Shenhua two points adrift in the second place.

Shide got a perfect start as its star forward Hao Haidong scored the opener only five minutes after kickoff. But Brazilian forward Marcos Borfim leveled the score in the 19th minute.

Adilson dos Santos scored the second goal for Shide from a freekick by captain Li Ming in the 59th minute. Five minutes later, Borfim received a cross from teammate Jing Zhiguo and kicked in his second goal.

Ji Mingyi put Shide ahead again when he chipped a left cross into the net in the 70th minute. But dogged Guoli, promoted from the second division league this season, equalized the score again when Borfim completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute.

Wang Peng scored a decisive goal in injury time to wrap up the victory.

Shanghai Shenhua, determined to win the league title this season, had an excellent chance to win the match when they were awarded a penalty kick in the closing moments. But midfielder Shenshi's shot was saved by Chongqing goalkeeper Fu Bin.

In today's other matches, Qingdao Beer tied with Bayi Zhenbang 0-0; Tianjin Taida edged Shenyang Haishi 1-0; Beijing Guo'an was held to a goalless draw by Shandong Luneng; Shenzhen Kejian beat Yunnan Hongta 2-0; Liaoning Fushun fell to Sichuan Shangwutong 2-0.