Chinese Super League Review

Beijing Guoan missed out on a chance to take over top spot in the Chinese Super League after being held to a 2-2 draw by Chengdu Blades as leaders Shandong Luneng suffered a 3-2 defeat at Changchun Yatai.

Beijing moved within a point of the defending champion Shandong while Guangzhou Guangyao sit just a point further back after Xu Liang and Wu Pingfeng scored either side of half-time to down Hangzhou Lucheng 2-0.

With just four points covering the top seven teams, Changchun Yatai moved up to fourth place after Tianjin Taida dropped to fifth after defender He Yang's scored a last-minute penalty to secure a 1-1 draw against Changsha Ginde.

"The opponents played well today and they showed strong desire to claim the victory," said Shandong's Serbian manager Ljubisa Tumbakovic.

"We didn't give our best today because we wanted to better prepare for the crucial clash against Beijing Guoan on Sunday."

At the Workers Stadium in Beijing, Cameroonian midfielder Joseph Ndo and Australian striker Brendan Santalab handed the visitors a comfortable lead after 34 minutes.

Australian import Ryan Griffiths reduced the deficit after 71 minutes before older brother Joel earned Beijing a point with two minutes remaining.

Meanwhile at Jingkai Stadium in Changchun, the home side were two up after 28 minutes through Yan Feng and Liu Weidong's solo effort, which was finished off with a well-struck shot from the edge of the area after beginning his run in his own half.

Wang Yongpo cut the deficit just a minute later as he latched on Sandro's cross before curling home from the edge of the area.

Shandong improved after the break and restricted the home side to counter-attacks as Changchun were pinned in their half.

But Yan made the points safe for Changchun with a minute remaining as his long range effort took goalkeeper Li Leilei by surprise before Brazilian striker Sandro grabbed a last-minute consolation for Shandong.

Elsewhere, midfielder Wang Erzhuo and Brazilian Jose Ze Alcino scored as Shaanxi Baorong recorded a 2-0 win at Shanghai Shenhua.

Elsewhere, Shenzhen Kingway shared a goalless draw with Dalian Shide, while Jiangsu Shuntian and Qingdao Zhongneng drew 0-0.