For last season’s champions Guangzhou Evergrande, it was a difficult away trip to traditionally strong Tianjin Teda that proved tricky. Resting stars Muriqui and Dario Conca ahead of a midweek Asian Champions League encounter, Guangzhou struggled to make a breakthrough. But, at half-time, off the bench came Muriqui (pictured),ready to grab an 85th minute winner to secure the side’s place at the summit of the table.
Just a point behind though are Jiangsu Sainty and the Nanjing-based side ran riot to beat Henan Construction 5-1 at home, in a day to forget for Henan forward Leandro Netto.
Level on points in third are Guangzhou R&F, who featured three Brazilians in their starting line-up against Lianing Whowin. The match struggled to get going and it was only in the second-half that the goals started flowing. Second-half substitute Rafael Coelho grabbed the opener, before former-Vasco midfielder Jumar made the lead 2-0. In the final few minutes though, Zhao Junzhe grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors.
There are currently three Brazilians amongst the league’s top-ten goalscorers (Muriqui 5, Reinaldo 3, Davi 3), as well as Argentine Dario Conca (5) and Chilean Gonzalo Canales (4).
