Guoan keeps hope of trophy alive after thrashing Tianhai 3-0

Beijing Guoan won over Tianjin Tianhai 3-0 on Sunday, trailing Guangzhou Evergrande by only one point in the 2019 season's Chinese Super League (CSL) standings.

In another match, Liu Yun of Wuhan Zall contribute the only goal of the match to the newly-promoted team in the 60th minute to beat Guangzhou Evergrande 1-0. Most of the key players of Guangzhou were rested after a tough match against Kashima Antlers on September 18.

Beijing Guoan’s Hou Yongyong celebrates after scoring a goal in the game against Tianjin Tianhai in the 25th round of the Chinese Super League at Workers’ Stadium in Beijing on Sep 22, 2019. [Photo: IC]

Anderson Talisca of Guangzhou Evergrande hit the woodwork in the 67th minutes and Elkeson de Oliveira Cardoso's half volley shot was denied by Wuhan's goalkeeper Dong Chunyu. Guangzhou suffered its fourth defeat in the season.

Beijing Guoan grabbed the chance of trimming the deficit. Its Sunday rival, Tianjin Tianhai, was affected by a scandal obviously.

Tianjin Tianhai's captain Zhang Lu was detained for drunk driving on Wednesday evening, according to an announcement of Tianjin police on Saturday.

Hou Yongyong gave Guoan an early lead through a solo strike. In the 27th minute, Zhang Yuning helped his team get a two-goal advantage.

In the added minutes, Renato Augusto's powerful long range shot found the net.

Besides Guoan, Shanghai SIPG also have opportunities to reach the season league's highest podium.

Shanghai, The CSL defending champion edged Henan Jianye 2-1 on Sunday, leaving SIPG three points behind Guangzhou with five rounds to go.