AN early goal from Brazilian import Ramires and a second-half brace from his compatriot Alex Teixeira helped home side Jiangsu Suning to a winning start over Shandong Luneng on Saturday in the first round of the 2016 Chinese Super League (CSL).

    Suning, which made a splash in the latest transfer window by acquiring the services of Teixeira for 50 million euros (US$54.34 million) from Ukrainian side Shakthar Donetsk and former Chelsea midfielder Ramires for a reported fee of up to 25 million pounds (US$35.21 million), had the ideal start with a goal within two minutes.

    Ramires raced through on goal following a slip by Shandong’s Brazilian international Gil to put the ball past the visitors’ goalkeeper. Gil was recently called up by coach Dunga to be one of two from the Chinese league to be part of his national team to face Uruguay and Paraguay later this month.

    In the second half, Teixeira paid back some of his hefty transfer fee with two goals in the 66th and 85th minute to wrap up the contest. His first, in particular, lit up the contest. Receiving the ball on the left hand side of the penalty box, he shimmied past the defender before curling the ball home and leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

    The home side lost the Chinese Super Cup to Guangzhou Evergrande last weekend.

    (SD-Agencies)