Shaanxi Union beat Changchun Yatai 2:1 in their League One clash on Thursday, a match decided by a penalty conversion and a late response from the hosts. The result keeps the home side in sixth place while the visitors remain in tenth after 21 rounds.
Changchun took the lead through D. Irandust, who converted a penalty in the 49th minute after Tan Long had earlier missed one for Shaanxi at 32 minutes. Muhamet doubled the visitors' advantage just a minute later, but Feng Boyuan pulled one back for the hosts at 67 minutes.
Shaanxi dominated possession at 71 per cent and created four big chances compared to Changchun's single opportunity, yet their shot accuracy of 29 per cent meant chances went begging. The hosts registered 105 attacks and five shots on target, while the visitors managed only two on target from their 79 attacks, though their conversion rate was sharper at 40 per cent.
Cards and substitutions punctuated a tense second half. JIng Boxi and Tian Ziyi booked for Changchun, while Liang Shaowen went offside for the hosts. Both managers made several changes, with Shaanxi bringing on Wang Shijie and Liu Ziheng, and Changchun turning to Wang Weipu and others to shift the game.
Shaanxi sit on 21 points from nine wins, five draws and seven defeats, while Changchun have 25 points from nine victories, two draws and ten losses. The hosts had dropped points in their previous outing, losing 2:1 to Hebei Kungfu, whereas the visitors drew 2:2 with the same side.