Griffiths On Target For Guoan

as seen on au.fourfourtwo.com

Ryan Griffiths scored as Beijing Guoan grabbed a dramatic late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Henan Construction in a crucial top of the table clash in China's Super League overnight.

Going into the game Henan lead the standings ahead of Guoan by just the one point, although the capital club did have a game in hand, which meant the hosts were intent on claiming the three points.

Early on though, it was Beijing who took the lead when Griffiths won the ball in midfield with great pressure before running onto a nice through-ball and sliding a tidy shot past the Henan keeper. The Australian celebrated his 16th minute strike with his brother Joel who also started for Guoan.

Not long later, Ryan Griffiths might have had a double when he reacted quickly to a Guoan shot which hit the post, but the Aussie's effort was tame and easily saved.

Henan had a few late chances before the break with Xiao Zhi heading wide from a corner and Brazilian Netto firing a long-range shot past the post.

But it was a warning for Guoan, who quickly conceded two goals in 3 minutes in the second-half, the first coming in the 57th minute courtesy of Henan's Song Tae-Lim.

The Korean midfielder rose highest to head a nice cross over Beijing keeper Yang Zhi, although it appeared Song had pushed his opponent in the back.

Guoan's pain was doubled minutes later when Yang Zhi didn't deal with a shot which rebounded off the post into Netto's path and he coolly fired a close-range left-foot finish past the stopper.

With Henan desperate to hold on for the three points, Guoan pushed forward and late on there was a goalmouth scramble which Ryan Griffiths somehow couldn't force in.

But when the fourth official showed 6 minutes of stoppage time, Guoan found extra legs and when Henan's Xu Yang committed a foul in dangerous territory Beijing pushed up.

The resulting set-piece fell kindly for Honduras midfielder Emil Martinez who swept home from close-range to grab a crucial equaliser in the context of the title race.

All the title challengers drew on Saturday as well, leaving Henan top on 42 points from 27 games, with Beijing second (41 points from 26 games), Shandong third (41 points from 27 games) and Changchun Yatai fourth (41 points from 27 games).