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Li Yi double puts Shenzhen in driving seat
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-04-07 09:00

China Super League champions Shenzhen Jianlibao moved to the top of Group E with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Vietnam's Hoang Anh Gia Lai here on Wednesday.


Li Yi celebrates a goal. [newsphoto]
The win lifts Chi Shangbin's men to the top of the group on seven points from three matches and in a strong position to advance from the competition's "Group of Death", although they will be pushed hard by Suwon Samsung Bluewings, who edged Japan's Jubilo Iwata 1-0 in the group's later game.

The hosts made light of the absence of defender Li Weifeng and former Frankfurt forward Yang Chen and made the most of their physical advantage and power in the air, scoring four of their five goals with headers.

Shenzhen's Togo striker Djima Oyawole opened the scoring for the hosts after 34 minutes, China international striker Li Yi racked up a brace and mercurial midfielder Wang Xinxin and defender Zhang Yonghai scored a goal apiece.

The visitors started brightly enough and showed they were not to be underestimated when, in the opening minute, Nguyen Van Dan broke down the right and crossed the ball into the path of lone striker Doung Minh Ninh, who dragged his shot wide from close range.

After a nervy opening 10 minutes, the hosts started pressing forward and looked dangerous in attack. Li Yi was picked out on the left and the international's drilled cross was narrowly missed by the pacy Oyawole.

On 14 minutes, former Thai international Kiatisuk Senamuang pounced onto a loose ball in the midfield before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Doung Minh Ninh but his weak shot was turned around by Shenzhen keeper Li Leilei.

Shenzhen's first real chance came on 16 minutes. Oyawole intercepted the ball in midfield and launched a swift counter attack. He found Li Yi, unmarked on the left, who whipped an inch-perfect cross for Xue Shen, but the midfielder headed over with the goal at his mercy.

The hosts' relentless offensive efforts paid off after 34 minutes when they took the lead through Oyawole's diving header. Lu Bofei flicked a perfect corner kick from the right, and Oyawole's blistering header at the far post was unstoppable.

The goal spurred the hosts on and they struck five minutes later when Xue Shen, breaking down the right, sent a perfect cross for Li Yi, who headed past Hoang Anh keeper Vo Vanh Hanh from a tight angle.

Shenzhen should have extended their advantage moments after the break. Wang Xinxin, in for Lu bofei, found Oyawole with a neat pass in the area. The Togo forward sold a perfect dummy to the keeper before crossing for Li Yi on the left, whose shot flew just wide of the empty goal.

But it wasn't long before Shenzhen increased their lead, their third coming on 50 minutes when midfielder Wang Xinxin set up Li Yi for another header.

Just two minutes later, after a beautiful combination with Oyawole, Wang coolly blasted the ball home between a defender's legs and past the keeper.

Hoang Anh had a chance of their own to reduce the deficit when second half substitute Nguyen Minh Hai earned a spot kick but Kiatisuk's spot-kick was saved by Li Leilei.

Zhang Yonghai sealed the victory for Shenzhen when he scored his side's fifth with a header with eight minutes remaining.

Shenzhen's next AFC Champions League fixture is against Hoang Anh Gia Lai on April 20.



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