Last season's heartbreak team Shandong Luneng Taishan FC pulled off a 2-1 upset win over six-straight defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC in the second round of the 2017 Chinese Super League. The match was held at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium on Friday.

Shandong almost got relegated to the China League One this season after finishing the last term at 14th place in the 16-team China top-flight table. The team was only two points away from relegation at that time before finally edging out Hangzhou Greentown and Shijiazhuang Ever Bright for the right to stay in the CSL.

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Two Brazilians were responsible for Shandong's upset victory over the defending champs with defender Gil and forward Diego Tardelli providing the goals for head coach Felix Magath's side, Xinhuanet reported.

Guangzhou midfielder Huang Bowen scored the opening goal in the sixth minute before Gil netted the equalizer with a header in the 55th off a pass from China international Hao Junmin. Tardelli then gave Taishan Dui the lead in the 76th minute with former Southampton star Graziano Pellè providing the assist. Both teams went scoreless after that as Shandong held on for the win.

It was Shandong's first victory against Guangzhou Evergrande in the last six seasons as the team has currently settled at the second spot of the league table. They are tied on points with Shanghai SIPG but the Red Eagles have a superior goal differential.

The loss put Evergrande to the fifth spot in the overall standings with three points as the team won their opening round fixture over capital city club Beijing Guoan, 2-1, on March 5.

Guangzhou team captain Zheng Zhi was suspended for the match after getting a red card against Beijing. Zheng's absence has its effect on the Southern China Tigers play, particularly on the defensive end, as the team succumbed to Shandong late in the match.

"Our captain is also the captain of the national team, and he is an outstanding player. Any team missing such a player will suffer a negative impact for sure," said Guangzhou manager Luiz Felipe Scolari after the game, via ESPN.

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2017, 2017 Chinese Super League, Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC