Reeling powerhouse Shanghai SIPG FC had settled to a 2-2 draw with fellow struggling team Beijing Guoan FC in their 2016 Chinese Super League season meeting held last Friday at the Shanghai Stadium.

Chinese transfer record holder Hulk finally came back from his thigh muscle injury to suit up for head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson for only the second time this season.

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The Brazilian forward played in only 21 minutes during his CSL debut, a 5-0 win over Henan Jianye, where he started and scored the opening goal at the ninth minute.

Hulk again caught the attention in this match with a brace, but it was not enough for the hosts to pull off a second straight win at their stadium.

After a goalless first half, Hulk managed to hit the opener at the 51st minute from an assist by compatriot winger Elkeson, as per Soccerway.

However, Beijing was able to find the equalizer 17 minutes later with a spot kick from Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz.

The Imperial Guards then scored another one at the 82nd minute with a goal from defender Lei Tenglong, which gave head coach Xie Feng's side the lead late in the match.

The hosts were not to be denied, though, as Hulk netted his second of the game with a penalty kick right at the stroke of full time to help his team salvage the draw and a share of a point in the overall standings, via Xinhuanet.

Shanghai SIPG is currently at the fourth spot of the league table with 39 points, only two points behind cross-city rivals and third-running team Shanghai Greenland Shenhua. Being in the top three, Shenhua temporarily holds the third and last AFC Champions League berth for next season with only six games left in both team's 2016 campaigns.

Only the top three squads at the end of the season will be able to qualify in Asia's premier club continental tournament next year.

The Red Eagles, who finished last season as runners-up to five straight reigning champions Guangzhou Evergrande, have drawn three of their last four matches as the team had also been winless in four of their last five to fall out of the top three at the moment.

Erikson and his crew are also set to face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the 2016 AFC Champions League.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, Shanghai SIPG FC, beijing guoan fc