Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC defeated fellow bottom-two relegation squad Changchun Yatai FC, 3-2, in a high-scoring Chinese Super League game at the Yutong International Sports Center last Sunday.

Brazilian forward Matheus Leite Nascimento scored a brace and dished out one assist to lead head coach Li Jinyu's squad to a thrilling home victory.

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Shijiazhuang started the game strongly as the team dominated ball possession in the opening minutes. Local winger Mao Jianqing opened the scoring in the 15th minute with Matheus providing the pass.

Ever Bright gained more momentum as Changchun midfielder Du Zhenyu was booked with a second yellow card in the 33rd minute, which sent him off the pitch and gave the visitors a one-man disadvantage.

The hosts then doubled their lead with three minutes left before the halftime interval as Matheus scored his first goal of the game off an assist from compatriot Diego Maurício.

Changchun fought back in the second half as Uzbek defender Anzur Ismailov directed teammate Li Guang's cross toward the net of Shijiazhuang shot stopper Guan Zhen, trimming the gap to only a point four minutes after the restarted.

Two of manager Lee Jang-soo's imports then worked together to score the equalizer in the 61st minute as Croatian midfielder Mislav Orsic assisted Brazilian Bruno Meneghel to level the score at 2-2.

However, Shijiazhuang prevailed as Matheus converted a penalty kick in the 70th minute to get Ever Bright out of the cellar and overtake Changchun for the 15th spot in the overall standings.

Both teams are still in the bottom-two relegation zone with four games left in the season. Hangzhou Greentown, the closest team above the relegation area at 14th place, is five points clear of Shijiazhuang at the moment.

Shijiazhuang will next face the league leaders and defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande on Oct. 15 while Changchun is set to clash with Beijing Guoan on Oct. 16.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC, Changchun Yatai FC