We start with the Chinese Super League, and 2nd-placed Jiangsu Suning hosted Tianjin Teda on Saturday. Thrashing their last opponents Shijiazhuang Ever-Bright 6-1, Jiangsu has grabbed 6 home wins in a row in all competitions. Tianjin meanwhile, struggled to stay in the top-tier league, and needed every point in the remaing 6 rounds of the season.
Jiangsu were eyeing on anther 3 points at home to close the gap on Guangzhou Evergrande.
And Choi Yong-soo's men opened the score after just 13 minutes. Xie Pengfei struck from 20 yards out for his first goal of the season.
Spectacular goal from the 23-year-old Chinese international. Great control of the ball, and Xie delivers with the sharp-angled slot!
Tianjin could have reduced distances at the 25th minute, however Hu Rentian's shot goes wide.
Tianjin had a chance to equalise in the 52nd minute, but Zainadine Junior's free kick cannoned off the crossbar from close-range.
Jiangsu ended the game in the 61st minute. Ji Xiang gets the ball with active tackling. Although Xie misses the header, the ball went to Alex Teixeira and the Brazilian international finishes with style.
Outstanding goal from Teixeira, who nets his 10th goal of the season. 1-nil was final, and Jiangsu moving to 50 points, three behind Evergrande, who play Liaoning Whowin on Sunday.
Yanbian grabs 3 points in Pellegrini's debut
Also on Saturday, Manuel Pellegrini debuted as Hebei Fortune coach as his side visited Yanbian Funde. And the visitors scored only two minutes into the match. Great pass from Gael Kakuta and Aloisio curls the ball over Chi Wenyi. 1-nil, great opening for the Chilean coach!
The hosts struck back in the 43rd minutes when Jin Bo was tripped in the box, earning a penalty for Yanbian.
South Korean international Kim Seung-dae makes no mistake and it's 1-1 Yanbian.
Then in the dying minutes of the first half, the hosts got their second goal. Kim sprint into the box and his cross sets up a stunning slot from Bubacarr Trawally, also known as Steve. 2-1, Yanbian!
Hebei also get a penaly 15 minutes into the second half. Aloisio was taken down in the area.
The Brazilian international would take the responsibility himself, and he delivers. 2-2, Hebei.
But the hosts would seal the match in the 76th minutes, when Chi Zhongguo's corner finds captain Cui Min who beats the keeper with a flip.
3-2 was final and Yanbian now rises to the 7th place on the table.
