Meizhou Hakka goalkeeper Hou Yu (bottom) makes a save during his side's 2-2 Chinese Super League draw against Beijing Guoan in Meizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, June 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)
Despite being down to ten men before half-time, Meizhou Hakka managed to recover from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Beijing Guoan.
BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Meizhou Hakka survived a red card and came from two goals behind to hold Beijing Guoan 2-2, while Shenzhen FC beat Cangzhou Mighty Lions 1-0 in the fourth round of 2022 Chinese Super League (CSL) on Friday.
In the clash between Beijing and Meizhou, Zhang Yuning had a stellar first half and broke the deadlock for Beijing in the 10th minute, slamming home from distance after a free-kick combination with Samir Memisevic.
11 minutes later, the 25-year-old Chinese international doubled his tally for the night and made it 2-0 thanks to Liu Guobo's penetration and decisive pass from the right.
Zhang Yuning (L) of Beijing Guoan celebrates his goal against Meizhou Hakka. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)
Meizhou pulled one back in the 23rd minute, when Aleksa Vukanovic beat the goalkeeper in a one-on-one. Although full-back Yang Chaosheng was sent off for a second yellow card before half-time, the CSL newcomers kept up their momentum and Rade Dugalic headed home an equalizer in the 64th minute.
Beijing had a glorious chance for a winner in the 76th minute, but Zhang's effort was denied by Meizhou goalkeeper Hou Yu.
After their remarkable comeback, newly-promoted Meizhou remains unbeaten in the new season with one win and three draws.
Elsewhere on Friday, Frank Acheampong scored an early goal for Shenzhen in the sixth minute after a fast break starting from Li Yuanyi's long pass. Shenzhen goalkeeper Zhang Lu made multiple saves to keep a clean sheet, sealing the team's third win of the season and condemning their opponents to their first defeat of 2022. ■
