Chinese Super League: Shanghai close gap

Shanghai Shenhua came from behind to beat Jiangsu Shuntian 3-2 on Saturday and close the gap on Chinese Super League leaders Beijing Guoan.

First-half goals from Lu Bofei and Paolo de la Haza had given visitors Jiangsu the lead, but a nine-minute brace from Argentine Luis Salmeron, the first from the penalty spot, levelled the match at 2-2.

Jiangsu still looked on course for a draw, before a 90th-minute winner from Colombian Duvier Barahona secured all three points for the home side.

Shanghai are second, one point behind first-placed Bejing, who could only manage a 1-1 draw away to Henan Jianye.

Visitors Bejing led through a goal from Australian forward Joel Griffiths, but a 77th-minute penalty converted by Brazilian striker Leandro Netto left honours even.

The valuable point lifts Henan out of the relegation zone on goal difference at the expense of Nanchang Bayi, who lost 1-0 away to Shandong Luneng.

Lebanon midfielder Roda Antar struck the winner for Shandong on 49 minutes.

In other matches, Shaanxi Chanba came from behind to beat Hangzhou Lucheng 2-1 at home.

Sebastian Vazquez had given Hangzhou the lead, but Wilson’s equaliser and a last-minute winner from Qu Bo snatched victory for Shaanxi.

Uzbek Anzur Ismailov scored with six minutes remaining to give Changchun Yatai a 2-2 draw at home to Dalian Shide, who had taken the lead courtesy of a five-minute double in the second half from South Korean Ahn Jung-Hwan.

Finally, Liaoning Hongyun hammered Chengdu Blades 4-0 away from home.

Zhao Junzhe opened the scoring for Liaoning from the penalty spot, with Yang Xu, Yu Hanchao and Vladimir Bogdanovic also on target.