This weekend marks the penultimate round of the Chinese Super League. The ladder leaders and defending champions, Guangzhou Evergrande, hosted Liaoning Hongyuan.
A win would give Guangzhou back-to-back CSL titles with one round still to play, also marking the first time a Super League side has successfully defended its crown.
Guangzhou, who looked hungry to win the championship, almost took the lead in the 25th minute, Dario Conca’s shot was pushed away by Zhang Lu, but Cleo felt remorseful when his follow up went wide.
8 minutes after the restart, the Evergrande duo Conca and Cleo orchestrated some slick play, also involving Gao Lin, who passes to Cleo for the tap in, but it was ruled offside.
An uneventful draw seemed imminent when Zheng Zhi balooned a strike 10 minutes from time.
However, with the whistle about to go, Gao ghosted through the wobbly Liaoning defense, and picked up a neat cross. The striker turned and unleashed a spectacular opportunistic curling volley into the top corner catching the Hongyuan keeper off guard.
The last minute winner sends the home crowd into raputures as they see Evergrande successfully retain the title. Guangzhou, who failed to reach the AFC Champions League semifinals now get the chance in, next year’s tournament. This is also the first CSL title for former World Cup winning Italian Marcelo Lippi.