Gao Lin (C) of Shenzhen Jiazhaoye breaks through during the 17th round match between Shenzhen Jiazhaoye and Shijiazhuang Ever Bright at 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Suzhou Division in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 28, 2020. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
DALIAN, China, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- John Mary's last-gasp winner helped Shenzhen FC see off Shijiazhuang Ever Bright in the first leg of the Chinese Super League playoffs here on Wednesday.
Shenzhen was utterly dominant in the whole game, creating a series of chances, but couldn't break Shijiazhuang until deep into the stoppage time when Harold Preciado's attempt was meekly beat away by the goalkeeper, only for Mary to tap in from close range.
The goal was initially flagged offside but then allowed after the referee viewed the VAR.
Both teams will meet in the second leg of their tie on Monday, with the winner qualifying for the playoffs for the 13th position of the coronavirus-affected CSL season.
The 16 sides were split into two groups in the first phase between July 22 and September 28, playing in a round-robin format in Dalian and Suzhou.
The top four teams from each group in the first phase gathered in Suzhou to vie for the title between October 16 and November 12.
The remaining eight teams will fight off relegation in Dalian. Enditem
