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Dalian Edge Defending Champions Shandong 3-2
Dalian Edge Defending Champions Shandong 3-2
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Dalian Shide took a morale-boosting victory Sunday as they edged defending champions Shandong Luneng 3-2 in an away match in the 19th round of the Chinese first division soccer league.
Shide, previously known as Wanda, have never lost to Shandong, who won a double of the league and the cup titles last season, since the pro league was launched in China in 1995.
Striker Yan Song hit the target twice in the 45th and 53th minute of Sunday's game played in Jinan, Shandong Province, to give Dalian a 2-0 lead. Dalian crushed Shandong 5-0 in their first meeting earlier this season.
Li Xiaopeng put the home team back to the game with a 55th-minute penalty, and Dalian striker Hao Haidong's miss of a penalty three minutes later was booed by the 40,000 Shandong fans.
Three minutes before time, Miodrag Pantelic sealed the victory with a fast break goal. Li Xiaopeng converted his second penalty in the injury time but that was not enough to save the hosts from a loss.
Dalian maintain a confortable seven-point lead over second-placed Shanghai Shenhua on the standings with 45 points from 14 wins, three draws and two losses. Shandong (11 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses) are third with 35.
Shanghai Shenhua, second on 38 points, remain a threat to Shide 's title bid after a 2-1 home win over Xiamen Xiaxin on goals from two Yugoslavian forwards, Sasa Racha and Zoran Rankovic.
Last season's runners-up Liaoning Fushun failed to break clear the relegation zone after losing 1-0 to Sichuan Quanxing on the road. Liaoning are among the bottom three with 18 points.
In Sunday's other games, Shenzhen Ping'an beat at home Beijing Guo'an 2-0, Qingdao Hainiu were held to a goalless draw by bottom- ranked Jilin Aodong in Qingdao.
Chongqing Longxin grabbed one point on a 2-2 away draw with Yunnan Hongta, while Tianjin Taida beat the visiting Shenyang Haishi 2-1.
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