World NewsRicard Shines For Shanghai Shenhau |
Shanghai Shenhua leaped to third place in the Chinese Super League as Colombian striker Hamilton Ricard grabbed a late winner to edge out Tianjin Teda 3-2 on Thursday.
Uruguay international Sergio Blanco had twice levelled for the newly crowned A3 Champions Cup winners after an Du Wei own goal and Wu Weian's second half strike had gave the visitors the lead at the Yuanshen Stadium in Shanghai.Shanghai trail table-topping Shandong Luneng by two points, with Tianjin a further two adrift.
In-form Shanghai controlled the opening stages, but Tianjin grabbed a 33rd minute lead as Du attempted a back-pass from the edge of the area, but only managed to wrong-foot home goalkeeper Wang Dalei.
But the home side were soon back on level terms four minutes later as Honduras international Saul Martinez headed across the face of goal for Blanco to head home from close range.
Tianjin regained the lead seven minutes after the restart as Hao Junmin found fellow China international Wu Weian on the edge of the area and the midfielder fired past Wang in the Shanghai goal.
Shanghai coach Osvaldo Gimenez Toledo brought on Ricard two minutes later, the former Middlesbrough striker replacing Martinez.
The home side hit back for a second time seven minutes after the hour mark as left winger Mao Jianqing out-paced international team-mate Cao Yang and placed his cross on the head of Blanco, who beat Tianjin goalkeeper Yang Jun.
Uruguay international Diego Alonso headed over for the home side two minutes later as Shanghai looked to capitalise on a tiring Tianjin outfit.
The home's side dominance paid off as Alonso headed Wang Ke's corner back into the area and Ricard sent a diving header past Yang.
"We capitalised on good scoring opportunities and won the game. We will play at a higher level in the second phase and chase for the championship," said Shanghai coach Gimenez.
Tianjin Czech coach Jozef added: "Nerves affected my players after we took the lead twice. We played a little negatively today."
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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