Cangzhou edge Chengdu for first win of season
Cangzhou Mighty Lions emerged victorious 1-0 over Chengdu Rongcheng in the Chinese Super League on Sunday.
Coming into the 2024 season with high ambitions, Chengdu suffered its first defeat of the campaign.
Chengdu goalkeeper Jian Tao thwarted Oscar Maritu's one-on-one effort in the 39th minute, but faltered in the 83rd minute when facing the Congolese forward again, as his mistake allowed Maritu to easily slot the ball into an empty net for the winner.
In Sunday's other match, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger took the lead against Shenzhen Peng City after just four minutes, with Ivan Fiolic's direct free kick from the right piercing through the promoted side's wall.
In the 58th minute, Wang Qiuming met Yang Zihao's cross from the left with a header to double Tianjin's lead. 12 minutes later, Andrea Compagno seized an opportunity during a counter-attack and scored from close range.
Center-back Alex Grant had a deft finish from a corner in the dying moments, securing a resounding 4-0 victory for Tianjin.