Sun Ke (L) of Shenzhen FC vies with Marek Hamsik of Dalian Pro during the 13th round match between Shenzhen FC and Dalian Pro at the postponed 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Sept. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
DALIAN, China, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Rafael Benitez's Dalian Pro failed to make the top eight spot after losing 3-1 to Shenzhen FC in the Chinese Super League (CSL) on Thursday.
The 16 teams were divided into two groups this season and the top four in each group will advance into the Final Group A for the championship race.
Beating Shenzhen was the only way for Dalian to keep its Final Group A dreams alive with two rounds left in the first phase. But Morteza Pouraliganji's header from the penalty spot and a Harold Preciado strike saw Shenzhen take a 2-0 lead after 31 minutes.
Dalian pulled one back four minutes later when Salomon Rondon tucked an unchallenged shot into net. The hosts pushed hard for an equalizer in the second half, but none came, and Gao Lin headed home from a free-kick to add a third for Shenzhen in the 74th minute. Enditem
