Chinese international Yang Chen scored only three minutes into action in his first match after returning from Germany as Shenzhen beat Chongqing 2-1 in the Chinese first division league on Wednesday.

The Chinese league restarted after a three-month suspension because of the outbreak of SARS and a minute's silence was held at all venues before the kickoff to those killed by the disease.

The 29-year-old Yang, who played for Bundesliga side Frankfurt in 1998-2000 before moving to German second division side St. Pauli in 2001, joined the Shenzhen club last week after failing to find a club in Germany.

The former Beijing striker rewarded the cheering home crowd after only three minutes, blasting home from outside of the box.

Shenzhen, last season's runners-up, doubled their lead in the 41st minute through Brazilian Tiago Jorge Honorio, who latched on to a long pass and fired home from five meters.

The visitors pulled a goal back six minutes after the interval by second half substitution Yang Siyuan.

Chongqing should have leveled the score 10 minutes from time but Yang Siyuan's header was just inches over the bar.

In the day's other matches, Bayi beat Beijing 2-0, Shaanxi drew with Shanghai Zhongyuan 1-1, defending champion Dalian crushed Qingdao 6-2, Shanghai Shenhua routed Tianjin 4-1 and Shenyang were held to a goalless draw by Yunnan. Enditem nnnn

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