Luneng beats Shanghai International in opener
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-04-02 23:39

China kicked off its 2005 Super League soccer on Saturday, with Shandong Luneng and Shanghai Shenhua winning their openers.

The season opener was raised between double champion Shandong Luneng and Shanghai International at home in Jinan. Striker Li Jinyu scored the winner in the injury time to ensure a 2- 1 home victory.

Cui Peng of Shandong Luneng celebrates his goal against Shanghai International in the opener of this year's Chinese Super League April 2, 2005 in Ji'nan, East China's Shandong Province. Shandong won 2-1. [Xinhua]

In the 35th minute, Cui Peng connected a free kick from Li Xiaopeng to open the account for the home side before Li Yan hit the equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.

In Shanghai, Xie Hui scored twice for Shenhua, including the first goal in the 2005 Super League season, beating visiting Qingdao Zhongneng 2-0 at home.

In the 33rd minute, Xie swang a corner from Sun Xiang and put in his second in the 57th minute from a teamwork of Yu Tao and Sun Liji.

In the other action of the day, Shenzhen Jianlibao played a scoreless home game against Wuhan Huanghelou.

Four games are scheduled on Sunday in the 14- team league without any threat of relegation, as the Chinese Football Association hopes it become a cradle of a few star players for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Li Xiaopeng (L) of Shandong Luneng tries to control the ball. [newsphoto]

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