Carrasco Cracker Helps Save Dalian From China Relegation

Shanghai, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Nov, 2018 ) :Belgium international Yannick Carrasco scored a fine individual goal to help save Dalian Yifang from relegation on a nail-biting final day in the Chinese Super League (CSL) on Sunday.

Four teams were battling to avoid joining already relegated Guizhou Zhicheng in dropping into China League One on a thrilling finale to the CSL campaign.

Tianjin Teda, Chongqing Lifan, Changchun Yatai and Dalian were all locked on 32 points going into the last game of the season.

Dalian, coached by former Real Madrid player and manager Bernd Schuster, occupied the last relegation place ahead of kick-off because of their inferior goal difference.

But, in front of their fans, they had their fate in their own hands because they faced Changchun.

Colombian striker Duvier Riascos scored with a header midway through the first half for the hosts, putting them within sight of safety.

Then in the 64th minute Carrasco, who went to China at the start of the season for a reported 30 million Euros from Atletico Madrid, struck.

The 25-year-old winger evaded two weak challenges on the left before darting into the box and lashing the ball low into the far corner.

Defeat condemned Changchun, CSL champions in 2007, to the drop.

Carrasco fell to his knees at the final whistle in relief.

Jordi Cruyff's Chongqing lost 1-0 at Guizhou but survived relegation by the skin of their teeth.

Shanghai SIPG, whose 2-1 victory over Beijing Renhe on Wednesday saw them win their first CSL title, lost 3-2 at Tianjin Quanjian in a dead-rubber.

Deposed champions Guangzhou Evergrande -- denied by SIPG an eighth CSL crown in a row -- thrashed Tianjin Teda 5-1 at home and finished second.