Chinese Super League First Half: Rodrigo Misses Open Goal, Li Lei’s Header Breaks the Deadlock – Meizhou Kejia Trails Beijing Guoan

Key EventsIn the 3rd minute, Meizhou Kejia pressured in the front court, and through a series of mishaps, Rodrigo gained a one-on-one opportunity. Although Han Jiaqi had already given up, Rodrigo’s shot went wide of the open goal, missing a great chance.In the 11th minute, Cao Yongjing’s break was thwarted by a Meizhou defender who cleared the ball out for a corner. Subsequently, Beijing Guoan delivered a corner from the right side to the near post, where Li Lei managed to head the ball into the net amidst a crowd of players, giving Beijing Guoan a 1-0 lead.Game Report

On September 20, the first match of round 26 of the Chinese Super League saw Meizhou Kejia host Beijing Guoan at home.

After 25 rounds, Meizhou Kejia ranked second-to-last on the leaderboard, while Beijing Guoan stood fourth, six points ahead of fifth place and nine points behind third place. In their previous five CSL encounters, both teams had one win, three draws, and one loss each. In the first leg this season, despite Meizhou Kejia leading 2-0, they were eventually overturned by Guoan with a 3-2 defeat.

Less than a minute into the game, Beijing Guoan found Fabio with a long pass, but his volley went slightly over the bar.In the 18th minute, Meizhou Kejia delivered a free-kick to the penalty spot area, and Mari headed it just wide.In the 21st minute, in the chaos outside the penalty area, Chi Zhongguo struck a volley that was heading for the corner, but Cheng Yuelei made a flying save to push it out for a corner.In the 36th minute, Rodrigo played a through ball to Ruzinan, who turned and shot, but it was not threatening and was easily collected by Han Jiaqi.In the 44th minute, Conrad broke into the box and took a shot, but it missed the target.

At halftime, Meizhou Kejia trailed Beijing Guoan 0-1.

Player Lineups

Meizhou Kejia starting lineup: 18-Cheng Yuelei; 11-Morris; 15-Chen Zhechao; 6-Liao Junjian; 29-Ruzinan; 30-Chen Jie; 25-Rodrigo; 16-Yang Chaosheng; 8-Conrad; 42-Wei Zhiwei; 28-Mari; Substitutes: 41-Guo Quanbo; 31-Rao Weihui; 17-Yang Yihu; 3-Pan Xinming; 20-Wang Jianan; 27-Kesovic; 7-Ye Chugui; 10-Yin Hongbo; 13-Shi Liang; 12-Yin Congyao; 14-Li Ning; 38-Li Yongjia;

Beijing Guoan starting lineup: 1-Han Jiaqi; 27-Wang Gang; 5-Engardu; 4-Li Lei; 2-Traore; 6-Chi Zhongguo; 37-Cao Yongjing; 21-Zhang Yuan; 11-Lin Liangming; 8-Gonzalo; 29-Fabio; Substitutes: 34-Hou Sen; 25-Zheng Tuluo; 22-Yu Dabao; 28-Zhang Chengdong; 16-Feng Boxuan; 3-He Yupeng; 26-Bai Yang; 30-Fan Shuangjie; 19-Nabei Jiang; 17-Yang Liyu; 20-Wang Ziming; 18-Fang Hao;