The Chinese Super League stole the headlines in January when it emerged as a potential footballing super power, spending big money to bring a variety of South American talent to the far-east. Now, after over a month of waiting, the league has kicked off, with 14 of the 16 teams in action over the course of the past weekend.
Jiangsu Suning FC were the first team to grab those headlines in January, when they splashed out on Chelsea man Ramires for just over 20 million pounds. They then pipped Premier League side Liverpool to the signing of Alex Teixeira, breaking their own transfer record once again.
The side, who are managed by Dan Petrescu, comfortably beat Shadong Luneng 3-0, with Ramires opening the scoring. From then-on-out, it was the Teixeira show, as he bagged an impressive brace to pay back some of that 50 million euro transfer fee.
Elsewhere, former FC Porto striker Jackson Martinez, who cost his new club Guangzhou Evergrande nearly 42 million euros, grabbed his first goal for the club in a disappointing 2-1 loss to Chongqing Lifan. Guangzhou are managed by former Brazil manager Luis Felipe Scolari, and also have former Tottenham man Paulinho on their books.
Promoted side Hebei China Fortune had former Arsenal flop Gervinho to thank for their shock 2-1 opening day victory over Guangzhou R & F. Stephane M’Bia and Ezequiel Lavezzi were also present for Hebei, as they recorded their first ever victory in the Chinese Super League, having been founded less than a decade ago.
Liaoning Whowin center-back Assani Lukimya was the unlikely match-winner in his side’s 1-0 victory over Shijiazhuang Ever Bright. The former Werder Bremen man also made 10 clearances and two interceptions on the night.
Other opening-day goalscorers included Australian legend Tim Cahill, who helped his new side Hangzhou Greentown to victory over Changchun Yatai. Cahill joined Greentown in February from fellow Super League side Shanghai Shenhua. It was Cahill’s former side who also had a notable goalscorer on the opening weekend, as former West Ham, Newcastle, and Chelsea striker Demba Ba helped Shenhua to a 1-1 draw.
Results:
Guangzhou R&F 1-2 Hebei China Fortune
Henan Jianye 1-1 Shanghai SIPG
Jiangsu Suning 2-1 Shadong Luneng
Shanghai Shenhua 1-1 Yanbian Fude
Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 0-1 Liaoning Whowin
Chongqing Lifan 2-1 Guangzhou Evergrande
Hangzhou Greentown 2-1 Changchun Yatai
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