Dalian Ties but Still Leads League StandingsReigning champions Dalian Shide's winning streak was halted when they tied 1-1 with Liaoning Fushun at home on Sunday but they still maintain a two-point lead atop the standings of the Chinese first division soccer league.Shide opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Wang Peng netted a head cross from Hao Haidong. Ten minutes into the second half, Liaoning was awarded a penalty kick but Zhao Junzhe's shot was parried away by goalkeeper Chen Dong. But they leveled the score with a brilliant goal from substitute Zhang Yuning in the 68th minute. Shide now has 13 points from five games, two points clear of second-placed Shanghai Shenhua which was forced to a 1-1 draw by Shandong Luneng. Shanghai Shenhua was given a penalty in the 30th minute after Yugoslavian midfielder Sasa Racha was pushed down in the penalty area, and fellow Yugoslavian Zoran Rankovic converted it. Despite having a potent combination of forwards, Shandong has not yet scored a goal in the previous three matches of this season. Their best scoring chance came in the 36th minute when defender Shu Chang broke into the penalty and passed the ball to teammate Li Xiaopeng, whose shot went a little wide. The 30,000-strong crowd got excited when Song Yuming scored an equalizer only one minute from the final whistle. Other matches in the fifth round also ended in draws. In Kunming, Yunan Hongta drew with Beijing Guo'an 2-2; In Shenyang, Shenyang Haishi was held to a 3-3 draw with Shanxi Guoli; In Chongqing, Chongqing Lifan tied with Qingdao Beer 1-1; In Chengdu, Sichuan Shangwutong was forced to a goalless draw with Shenzhen Kejian; In Guangxi, Bayi Zhenbang drew with Tianjin Taida 1-1. |
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