Shandong Luneng's Dai Lin (No.35) competes with Jiangsu Sainty's Dejan Damjanovic in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province on Wednesday. Photo: CFP

 

 

 

Shandong Luneng failed to claim top spot as they suffered their first Chinese Super League (CSL) defeat this season, going down 1-0 to Jiangsu Sainty on Wednesday in a ­rescheduled Round 2 match in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province.

Sainty now sit fourth between Shanghai SIPG and Luneng. The trio are tied on 10 points, two points behind leaders Guangzhou Evergrande.

Wu Xi answered Luneng's dominance in the 29th minute with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box that nestled in the bottom corner.

Former Luneng playmaker Deng Zhuoxiang went close to doubling ­Sainty's lead seven minutes later but his volley hit the left upright.

After a fruitless hour, Luneng coach Cuca replaced winger Liu Binbin and defensive midfielder Jin Jingdao with forwards Han Peng and Hao Junmin.

But rather than going in Luneng's favor, Sainty fired back with a string of chances, only to be denied by Shangdong keeper Wang Dalei.

Sainty went on to hold their lead until the final whistle despite Ji Xiang being sent off in injury time.

Sainty coach Gao Hongbo expressed his satisfaction with the win.

"It's a team effort, I'm very satisfied," Gao said. "Generally our first half was better than the second one, as Luneng were desperate to score."

Luneng have only scored four goals after five rounds, but Cuca remained ­cagey and said his side deserved a draw on Wednesday night.

"The result should be a 1-1 draw based on the two sides' performance," he said. "We wasted too many chances … It's a pity not to win this game, but I'm glad to see our progress on counterattacks."

Wednesday also witnessed Liaoning Whowin, who had won only one game, against CSL newcomers Harbin Yiteng, after five rounds, change their head coach. Gao Sheng resigned and was ­replaced by assistant coach Chen Yang.

Whowin visit Sainty on Sunday while Luneng host Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday.

Global Times