Contending team Shanghai SIPG FC leveled with cross-city rivals Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC in the overall standings with 42 points each after a hard-earned 2-1 victory over reeling team Hangzhou Greentown FC at the Yellow Dragon Sports Center last Sunday in a 2016 Chinese Super League season game.

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Head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson's side started the game rather tentatively as the team may still be feeling the effects of their 0-5 loss to K League Classic club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors last week that eliminated them in the quarterfinals of this year's Champions League.

After a goalless first half, SIPG finally broke the game's deadlock with a goal from Ivorian forward Jean Evrard Kouassi at the 56th minute, who substituted for the struggling Brazilian striker Elkeson at the 40th, as per Soccerway.

The lead was doubled late in the match at the 83rd minute as defender He Guan buried a shot from a pass by winger Wu Lei.

Hangzhou was able to score a consolation goal, though, with a penalty kick from Brazilian import Anselmo Ramon during stoppage time, via Cri English.

Shanghai Shenhua is currently at the third spot of the China top flight table with 42 points in 25 matches. With that, the team temporarily holds the third and final AFC Champions League berth for next season as only the top three teams at the end of the term will advance to the next edition of Asia's premier club continental competitions.

After the win, the Red Eagles now also have 42 points to level with Shenhua.

Despite being tied alongside Shenhua in the standings, SIPG is occupying the fourth spot at the moment as their fellow Shanghai-based club is in front on head-to-head matches against each other this term. The Flower of Shanghai won their second meeting this season, 2-1, at the Hongkou Football Stadium in July while their first encounter was a 1-1 tie at the Shanghai Stadium back in March.

Still, the Red Eagles have a crack at snagging the final ACL spot with both teams having five games left in their respective campaigns this season.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Shanghai SIPG FC, Hangzhou Greentown FC