Champions Guangzhou, Wuhan win as Chinese Super League season finally kicks off

(Reuters) - Guangzhou Evergrande began the defence of their Chinese Super League (CSL) title with a 2-0 victory against Shanghai Shenhua as the delayed 2020 campaign, revamped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finally kicked off over the weekend.

Two goals from China international forward Wei Shihao gave the side coached by Italian World Cup-winner Fabio Cannavaro victory as they began their bid for a ninth crown in 10 seasons in perfect fashion behind closed doors on Saturday.

Shenzhen FC defeated Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Guangzhou R&F 3-0 on Sunday to climb above Evergrande on goal difference in the league’s Dalian hub in northeast China.

Instead of the home-and-away system, the 16 CSL teams are playing a round robin in two groups with the top four from each qualifying for an eight-team “championship” stage and the remaining eight going into a “relegation” phase.

Dalian Pro, coached by Spaniard Rafa Benitez, got off to a disappointing start with a 3-2 defeat by Shandong Luneng, while Jiangsu Suning pipped Henan Jianye 4-3.

In the Suzhou hub near Shanghai, Wuhan Zall - hailing from the city where the novel coronavirus first emerged last year - received a guard of honour before beating promoted Qingdao Huanghai 2-0.

An own goal by defender Yaki Yen and Liu Yun’s strike in the second half sealed the win for Wuhan, who had travelled to Cadiz in Spain for a pre-season tour on Jan. 29 and stayed there for several weeks as the virus spread rapidly.

Last year’s runners-up Beijing Guoan overcame an early red card for defender Yang Fan to defeat Chongqing Lifan 2-1, with second half goals from Li Lei and Piao Cheng. A Yu Dabao own goal 10 minutes from time ensured a tight finish.

Brazilian forward Ricardo Lopes scored twice as Shanghai SIPG came from behind to beat Tianjin Teda 3-1 in Suzhou.

Full back Rong Hao broke the deadlock for Tianjin Teda inside six minutes before Lopes and Wang Shenchao found the net to hand Shanghai SIPG a 2-1 lead just before halftime.

Lopes, who joined Shanghai SIPG from South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, scored his second goal on league debut in the 64th minute to secure a comfortable victory.

Hebei CFFC were held 2-2 by Shijiazhuang Ever Bright.