Published: 16:01, August 8, 2020 | Updated: 20:31, June 5, 2023
CSL: Zall beat Ever Bright on Evrard's double, Lifan draw China Fortune
By Xinhua

Zang Yifeng (right) of Shijiazhuang Ever Bright competes during the third round match between Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC and Wuhan Zall at the postponed 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Suzhou Division in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug 7, 2020. (JI CHUNPENG / XINHUA)

SUZHOU, China - Wuhan Zall's Jean Evrard Kouassi struck twice to help his team beat Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 2-1 in the third round of the Chinese Super League (CSL), while Chongqing Dangdai Lifan rallied to draw 2-2 with Hebei China Fortune on Friday.

Despite the goal-scorer limping out of action in the 76th minute due to a muscle strain, Zall finally closed out the 2-1 win

Evrard fired his first goal of the season 15 minutes into Zall's fast start. In the 37th minute, he scored a brace with a penalty after his compatriot Liu Yun tumbled under the challenge of Stoppila Sunzu in the box.

Luiz Muriqui pulled one back for Ever Bright in stoppage time, also converting a penalty after he was brought down by Zall's left-back Liu Yi.

Despite the goal-scorer limping out of action in the 76th minute due to a muscle strain, Zall finally closed out the 2-1 win.

ALSO READ: Shanghai Shenhua beat Shandong Luneng 1-0 in CSL

"It's a tough game. Although Ever Bright was just promoted from the second division, they put much pressure on us," Zall's coach Jose Manuel Gonzalez Lopez said.

In an eventful first half between China Fortune and Lifan, both sides had goals disallowed.

Dong Xuesheng's goal in the 17th minute was disallowed for offside before Lifan's Marcio Augusto da Silva Barbosa hit into the open net, but only to be chalked off for a foul.

Ricardo Goulart put China Fortune ahead on 50 minutes, evading the offside trap to finish a long-distance shot. Marcos Vinicius Amaral Alves pounced on Dong Xuesheng's cross scoring in the 67th minute.

READ MORE: CSL: Guangzhou Evergrande registers third straight win

Alan Kardec made a huge impact, with a shot from a tight angle that forced China Fortune's keeper Chi Wenyi to make an own goal, then headed in the equalizer 2-2 on a free-kick at the death.