The Chinese Super League (CSL) is set to return after a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Shandong Luneng have secured their first victory in the competition with a convincing 3-0 win over Beijing Guoan.
The match at Shandong's home ground, the Baima Sports Center, was a thrilling encounter that saw both teams put up a good fight. However, it was Shandong who emerged victorious, thanks to three well-taken goals from their forwards.
The first goal came early on, as Shandong forward Zhang Yuzhe took advantage of some poor defending by Beijing to slot home from close range. The second goal arrived just before halftime when another forward, Li Tie, volleyed home from outside the box to give Shandong a two-goal lead.
The third goal came in the final minutes of the game, as midfielder Huang Ruijin dribbled past his marker before finishing off a one-on-one situation to complete the scoring for Shandong.
Overall, it was a dominant performance from Shandong, who were clearly the better side throughout the match. They showed great resilience and determination, never giving up even when Beijing tried to mount a comeback.
For Beijing, it was a disappointing result, especially given their recent form in the CSL. Their inability to score any goals against a team they had beaten earlier this season left them frustrated and disappointed.
Despite the loss, Beijing will be hoping to bounce back in their next match against Tianjin Quanjian, while Shandong will continue to build momentum heading into the rest of the CSL season.