BaysideMariner
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Santalab saves BladesComments and replies2 April 2011-PA Sport
Brendon Santalab scored twice as Chengdu Blades came from behind three times to earn a 3-3 draw with defending champion Shandong Luneng at Shandong Sports Centre Stadium in its opening game of the Chinese Super League season.
The host got off to a dream start as Han Peng fired home a rebound following a goalmouth scramble after just one minute. Santalab cancelled the goal out 10 minutes later, volleying home at the far post from Wang Cunguo's cross from the left.
Wang Yongpo restored Shandong's lead with a spectacular free-kick in first-half stoppage time.
Santalab brought Chengdu level again four minutes after the hour mark, collecting a long cross by Feng Zhuoyi before steering a shot past Shandong goalkeeper Yang Cheng.
The home side went 3-2 in front two minutes later when Obina poked home from close range, but Ricardo's underhit backpass let in Adam Kwasnik, who netted the equaliser 11 minutes from time.
"The hard-earned point was the biggest reward for my team because they played very well in front of the defending champions," said Chengdu manager Lawrie McKinna.
"But we shouldn't let complacency affect us since it was just the beginning of the season."
Shandong's Han said: "I think our strikers need more support from the midfield. Unfortunately, our midfield play in the second half wasn't good enough to create more scoring chances."
Tianjin Teda beat Shenzhen Kingway 1-0 at Tianjin Teda Stadium, Serbian Marko Zoric scoring the only goal of the game three minutes after the half-hour mark.
Shanghai Shenhua and Qingdao Zhongneng drew 3-3, while Hangzhou Greentown defeated Nanchang Bayi 2-0.
Brendon Santalab scored twice as Chengdu Blades came from behind three times to earn a 3-3 draw with defending champion Shandong Luneng at Shandong Sports Centre Stadium in its opening game of the Chinese Super League season.
The host got off to a dream start as Han Peng fired home a rebound following a goalmouth scramble after just one minute. Santalab cancelled the goal out 10 minutes later, volleying home at the far post from Wang Cunguo's cross from the left.
Wang Yongpo restored Shandong's lead with a spectacular free-kick in first-half stoppage time.
Santalab brought Chengdu level again four minutes after the hour mark, collecting a long cross by Feng Zhuoyi before steering a shot past Shandong goalkeeper Yang Cheng.
The home side went 3-2 in front two minutes later when Obina poked home from close range, but Ricardo's underhit backpass let in Adam Kwasnik, who netted the equaliser 11 minutes from time.
"The hard-earned point was the biggest reward for my team because they played very well in front of the defending champions," said Chengdu manager Lawrie McKinna.
"But we shouldn't let complacency affect us since it was just the beginning of the season."
Shandong's Han said: "I think our strikers need more support from the midfield. Unfortunately, our midfield play in the second half wasn't good enough to create more scoring chances."
Tianjin Teda beat Shenzhen Kingway 1-0 at Tianjin Teda Stadium, Serbian Marko Zoric scoring the only goal of the game three minutes after the half-hour mark.
Shanghai Shenhua and Qingdao Zhongneng drew 3-3, while Hangzhou Greentown defeated Nanchang Bayi 2-0.
