Guangzhou R&F FC pulled off a 1-0 win over lowly squad Changchun Yatai FC at the Guangdong Provincial People's Stadium on Sunday to begin their 2017 Chinese Super League campaign with a two-game winning run.

After a goalless first half of play, Brazilian midfielder Junior Urso scored the lone goal of the match for head coach Dragan Stojkovic's side with a header in the 70th minute off an assist by local midfielder Lu Lin.

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Changchun had the opportunity to claim their first point in the CSL this season, but former Watford striker Odion Ighalo was not able to convert his spot kick attempt three minutes before Urso netted the winning goal, according to Goal. Ighalo's penalty attempt was blocked by R&F keeper Cheng Yuelei.

With the win, Guangzhou remains one of only three clubs who still have a 100 percent record this season along with Shanghai SIPG and Shandong Luneng, the South China Morning Post reported. Despite being undefeated, the Blue Lions have settled to third in the standings as they have the lowest goal differential among the said three squads.

R&F has been unbeaten in all their three games this year including their friendly match against the Brisbane Strikers last month.

Meanwhile, Changchun suffered its second consecutive defeat as the team has also dropped their season-opener to SIPG, 1-5, on the road at the Shanghai Stadium on March 4. Ighalo has been a disappointment for head coach Lee Jang-soo's squad as the Nigeria international is yet to score in two China top-flight games so far.

Ighalo was acquired by Yatai in January as the club's major signing in the recent winter transfer window. Changchun bought the 6-foot goalscorer from English Premier League side Watford for a transfer fee of around $25 million.

Changchun has lost all three of their games this year. The team also succumbed to Russian club Zenit Saint Petersburg, 2-5, in January during their lone preseason game.

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2017, 2017 Chinese Super League, Guangzhou R&F FC, Changchun Yatai FC