In a thrilling turn of events in the Chinese Super League (CSL), Shanghai Shenhua soared to the top of the standings with a sensational 2-1 comeback victory against Henan FC on Friday night. With only two rounds remaining, Shenhua now lead the title race by a single point, seizing control from long-time leaders Shanghai Port.
The evening’s action was pivotal, with two blockbuster clashes capturing the attention of football enthusiasts across Asia. Chengdu Rongcheng delivered a stunning performance on their home turf, defeating Shanghai Port 3-1. This unexpected result opened the door for Shenhua to leapfrog their city rivals.
Facing a formidable Henan side, Shenhua encountered challenges throughout the match. Just after the hour mark, Henan’s Nemanja Covic unleashed a spectacular long-range strike, putting Shenhua behind for the second consecutive home game. However, Shenhua’s resilience shone through. Merely two minutes later, Joao Teixeira capitalized on Wang Shangyuan’s defensive error, netting a well-placed shot to level the score.
The decisive moment came in the 89th minute when veteran midfielder Wu Xi rose to head in a golden goal from a corner kick, securing the crucial victory for Shenhua. This marked Wu Xi’s sixth goal of the season, a personal best, and ignited celebrations among the home fans.
“We knew the importance of this match,” Wu Xi commented after the game. “Our team showed great character and determination. We will fight until the end to bring the title to our supporters.”
With the season nearing its climax, Shanghai Shenhua are now in the driver’s seat of a tightly contested two-horse race. The pressure mounts as both Shanghai teams vie for supremacy, promising an exhilarating conclusion to the CSL season.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
