The suspension of Shanghai SIPG manager Andre Villas-Boas and striker Hulk couldn’t stop the team’s winning streak as the Chinese Super League (CSL) runners-up beat Jiangsu Suning 1-0 on Saturday at the 15 round of CSL.
Andre Villas-Boas and Hulk were suspended for two CSL games after protesting against the eight-match ban for the team’s midfielder Oscar on Friday. Xie Hui, the former Chinese national team striker, took Villas-Boas’ place in the dugout.
After a scoreless first half, Elkeson and Wei Shihao combined for the goal at the 53rd minute as Elkeson headed home the pass from Wei Shihao.
Shanghai SIPG kept the chasing pace after the 1-0 victory as the defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande will play an away game to Tianjin Quanjian FC on Sunday.
Earlier on Saturday, Changchun Yatai beat Beijing Guoan 2-1 and extended their unbeaten streak to four games.
Also on Saturday, Chongqing Lifan beat Guangzhou R&F 4-3, Hebei China Fortune tied Shandong Luneng 0-0 and Henan Jianye split the points with Tianjin Elion after a scoreless match.
Shanghai Greenland smashed Liaoning Shenyang Carsing 8-1 on Friday.
