Streli Mamba (Front) of Dalian Professional vies with Romario Balde of Nantong Zhiyun during a 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) 1st round match between Dalian Professional and Nantong Zhiyun in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Veteran Yan Xiangchuang struck twice in Dalian Pro's 2-1 victory over newly-promoted Nantong Zhiyun as the 2023 Chinese Super League (CSL) season opened on Saturday.
36-year-old Yan put Dalian ahead four minutes into the game, and added his second just three minutes later.
Romario Balde pulled one back in the 26th minute for Nantong, who failed to pose any threat for the rest of the match.
Defending champion Wuhan Three Towns suffered a sluggish start with a 2-0 loss at home to Shanghai Port.
Shanghai took the lead from a well-worked opportunity in the 63rd minute as Wu Lei passed into the box and Paulinho netted from close range.
Paulinho then timed his run perfectly in the 79th minute to meet another cross from Wu, slotting into the net to extend Shanghai's advantage.
Elsewhere, Changchun Yatai beat Zhejiang FC 2-0, while Beijing Guoan was held 1-1 at home by Meizhou Hakka.
The remaining games of the CSL's first matchday will be held on Sunday. ■
Morelatto (Front L) of Nantong Zhiyun competes during a 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) 1st round match between Dalian Professional and Nantong Zhiyun in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
David Patricio (1st L), head coach of Nantong Zhiyun, gestures during a 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) 1st round match between Dalian Professional and Nantong Zhiyun in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
(230415) -- HUZHOU, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Franko Andrijasevic (L) of Zhejiang FC shoots during the 1st round match between Changchun Yatai and Zhejiang FC at 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) match in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
(230415) -- HUZHOU, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Serginho (2nd L) of Changchun Yatai breaks through during the 1st round match between Changchun Yatai and Zhejiang FC at 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) match in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
(230415) -- HUZHOU, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Peter Zulj (L) of Changchun Yatai breaks through during the 1st round match between Changchun Yatai and Zhejiang FC at 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) match in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
(230415) -- HUZHOU, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Serginho of Changchun Yatai stops the ball during the 1st round match between Changchun Yatai and Zhejiang FC at 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) match in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
(230415) -- HUZHOU, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Franko Andrijasevic (front) of Zhejiang FC vies for a header during the 1st round match between Changchun Yatai and Zhejiang FC at 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) match in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)
Photo taken on April 15, 2023 shows a general view of the opening ceremony of 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) at Worker's Stadium in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Zhang Xizhe (L) of Beijing Guoan celebrates with his teammate Yu Dabao after scoring a penalty kick during a 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) first round match against Meizhou Hakka at Worker's Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
Rade Dugalic (L) of Meizhou Hakka fouls Arijan Ademi of Beijing Guoan during their 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) first round match at Worker's Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Fans cheer during a 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) first round match between Beijing Guoan and Meizhou Hakka at Worker's Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ga)
Photo taken on April 15, 2023 shows the general view of newly renovated Workers' Stadium where the 1st round match of 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) between Meizhou Hakka and Beijing Guoan is held in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Fans cheer during a 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) first round match between Beijing Guoan and Meizhou Hakka at Worker's Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Ga)
Photo taken on April 15, 2023 shows the general view of newly renovated Workers' Stadium where the 1st round match of 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) between Meizhou Hakka and Beijing Guoan is held in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Rade Dugalic (L) of Meizhou Hakka fouls Arijan Ademi of Beijing Guoan during their 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) first round match at Worker's Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Photo taken on April 15, 2023 shows the general view of newly renovated Workers' Stadium where the 1st round match of 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) between Meizhou Hakka and Beijing Guoan is held in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
Photo taken on April 15, 2023 shows the general view of newly renovated Workers' Stadium where the 1st round match of 2023 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) between Meizhou Hakka and Beijing Guoan is held in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
