Published: 16:09, September 28, 2020 | Updated: 15:58, June 5, 2023
CSL: Shenhua into last eight, Suning move ahead of Luneng
By Xinhua

Shanghai Greenland Shenhua's head coach Choi Kang-hee (center) applauds as player Bi Jinhao returns to the stands during the 14th round match of the 2020 Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division between Shanghai Greenland Shenhua and Henan Jianye, in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning province, Sept 27, 2020. (PAN YULONG / XINHUA)

DALIAN - Bi Jinhao struck double to give Shanghai Shenhua a 2-0 win over Henan Jianye in the 14th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL), while Jiangsu Suning beat Shenzhen FC 1-0 on Sunday to climb up to second in the Dalian Division.

Shanghai Shenhua's substitute Bi Jinhao netted two goals to ensure Shenhua was on course to grab the last spot in the championship race

Playing in place of the injured striker Kim Shin-wook, substitute Bi Jinhao seized the opportunity with a close-range shot in the 25th minute and added a second goal on 41 minutes to ensure Shenhua was on course to grab the last spot in the championship race.

"We have been plagued with injuries during the first stage but grappled with reality," said Shenhua coach Choi Kang-hee. "We'll do our best next round."

Shenhua will play the next stage against city rivals SIPG, who have already qualified in the top spot of the Suzhou Division.

READ MORE: Huanghai ends losing run, SIPG secures top spot of Suzhou Division

Facing Shenzhen, Suning's Alex Teixeira smacked the winning penalty in the 28th minute after Li Ang was tripped by Morteza Pouraliganji.

For the fifth placed Shenzhen, any prospect of promoting the top four appeared to be extinguished when Pouraliganji's powerful shot hit the crossbar on 75 minutes.

Morteza Pouraliganji (second right) of Shenzhen FC heads the ball during the 14th round match of the 2020 Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division between Jiangsu Suning and Shenzhen FC, in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning province, Sept 27, 2020. (LONG LEI / XINHUA)

Both Suning and Shandong Luneng had already guaranteed two positions for the racing championship. Because Luneng was held by Guangzhou R&F to 0-0, Suning is two points ahead of Luneng and finished with the second in Dalian Division.

READ MORE: CSL: Jiangsu stun defending champ Guangzhou with 2-1 win

Luneng will face Beijing Guoan in a two-legged knockout round next stage.

Elsewhere, Guangzhou Evergrande sealed the 1-0 win by an own goal from Dalian Pro defender Shan Pengfei.

Fabio Cannavaro's side is scheduled to play against Chongqing Dangdai Lifan or Hebei China Fortune.