Shanghai Shenhua strengthens lead at Chinese Super League

BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai Shenhua solidified its position atop the Chinese Super League (CSL) standings with a commanding 3-0 away victory over Dalian Yingbo in the 13th round Saturday.

Joao Teixeira and Liu Chengyu each found the net, while Saulo Mineiro added a goal and an assist. With the win, Shenhua moved two points clear of Chengdu Rongcheng, which was held to a 1-1 draw in this round. Shenhua now leads the league with 10 wins, two draws and one loss, totaling 32 points.

Teixeira opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a sharp finish from close range. Just four minutes later, 18-year-old Liu doubled the lead after capitalizing on a goalkeeping error by Sui Weijie, scoring in his third consecutive CSL match to give Shenhua a 2-0 advantage at the break.

Shenhua maintained its attacking momentum in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Mineiro finished off a counterattack with a composed strike, sealing the 3-0 final score.

In the match between Chengdu Rongcheng and Qingdao West Coast, Felipe Silva opened the scoring for Chengdu in the first half after a pass from Romulo, but Ghanaian striker Aziz Yakubu equalized for the visitors. Chengdu was reduced to 10 men in the 59th minute when youngster Hu Hetao was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

In other matches, Changchun Yatai lost 2-1 at home to Tianjin Jinmen Tigers; Beijing Guoan drew 1-1 away to Qingdao Hainiu; defending champion Shanghai Port was held to a 1-1 draw by Shandong Taishan; Zhejiang FC and Henan played to a 2-2 draw; and Yunnan Yukun secured a 2-0 home win over Meizhou Hakka.

The match between Shenzhen Peng City and Wuhan Three Towns was postponed until June 18 due to pitch condition issues. Enditem