Guangzhou Evergrand defends Chinese Super League title

Guangzhou Evergrande players celebrate their second CSL title by raising their Italian coach Marcello Lippi, top, after beating Liaoning Hongyun 1-0 in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Oct 27, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

GUANGZHOU - Guangzhou Evergrande defended its Chinese Super League (CSL) title on Saturday after beating Liaoning Hongyun 1-0 at home in the penultimate round.

Evergrande's head coach Marcello Lippi said after the game he was "very happy" to add a Chinese league title to his five Italian Serie A titles.

"This is very special because it is the first time I have won the league overseas and it is good to do it in China which is a great country," said the 64-year-old who led Italy to win the World Cup in 2006.

The big-spending Evergrande has also reached the final of China's FA Cup, which will be played over two legs next month.

Meanwhile, Henan Jianye became the first team to be relegated after losing 1-0 to Dalian Shide.