Guangzhou R&F edge Shanghai Shenxin to move to third place

With captain Li Zhe's winning goal in the final minute, Chinese Super League (CSL) new comers Guangzhou R&F upset Shanghai Shenxin to make the top three in the table here on Sunday.

Both sides went into the match slowly as they both struggled from poor physical conditions after the season break. Shanghai produced the first real threat as Xu Wen made a 50-meter long shot to test Guangzhou's keeper Cheng Yuelei. But the home team recovered quickly as Rafeal, Yakubu formed good combination at the opponents territory.

The Nigerian striker Yakubu finally found home in the 32th minute before Rafeal put the ball on the plate. But Wang Yun's header made a leveling scoreline before the half time whistle.

The second half witnessed a 45 minutes playing full of twists. Shanghai took the lead as Brazilian striker Anselmo netted in the 48th minute, only to see a penalty given to their opponents by the referee as Guangzhou's Lu Lin was fouled in the box. Rafeal made the equalizer as he screwed the penalty into the net.

After 30 minutes struggling, Li Zhe hit the winning header just before the final whistle came.

"It is a stunning goal by the captain. We are now enjoying our 3 games winning streak and we are marching on to the AFC Champions League," Guangzhou's coach Farias said.

"I have to think about how to console the players, they could not accept a defeat with such a harsh ending,"Zhu Jiong, Shanghai's coach said after the match.