HEBEI China Fortune upset power house Shanghai SIPG with a 2-0 victory in the 9th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL) on Saturday night, while Chen Pu’s winning goal helped Shijiazhuang Ever Bright overcome Qingdao Huanghai 1-0.

SIPG remained unbeaten with six wins and two draws before the match. The side kept offense flowing and had a point-blank chance on 34 minutes, while captain Hulk blasted a close-range shot, which was saved by China Fortune keeper Bao Yaxiong.

China Fortune struggled to cope with the intensity but was 1-0 up in the 45th minute following midfielder Wang Qiuming snapping up the rebound into the net after Brazilian Paulinho’s attempt hit the post.

SIPG promptly adjusted tactics to catch up in the second half but was still scoreless, only to see Brazilian forward Marcos Vinicius seal the result with a low drive for China Fortune in stoppage time.

“We played well in the first half and created many chances, but we had difficulty after conceding the first goal,” SIPG coach Vitor Pereira said.

In a lifeless first half between two newly promoted sides, Ever Bright striker Luiz Muriqui pulled a muscle and was substituted in the 24th minute.

It took Ever Bright until the 88th minute to close out the win over Huanghai as Chen Pu converted an open goal through Brazilian Matheus’s low cross.

(Xinhua)