Defending champions Shenzhen Jianlibao made a stuttering start to their 2005 Chinese Super League campaign, settling for a goalless draw with top-flight newcomers Wuhan Huanghelou at Shenzhen Sports Centre yesterday.
Shenzhen's attack was reduced to a toothless display after national striker Li Yi received his marching orders before the break.
Elsewhere, last season's double cup winners Shandong Luneng sank 10-man International Shanghai 2-1 through a last-gasp winner by Li Jinyu. But the temporary lead in the standings belongs to Shanghai Shenhua SVA, who blew past visiting Qingdao Zhongneng 2-0 courtesy of a brace from flamboyant veteran Xie Hui.
In Shenzhen, the hosts almost went head after 18 minutes when Yang Chen's powerful header was narrowly off target. Wuhan responded with a break through the middle on the half-hour mark, which saw Wang Wenhua rifle a long shot that cannoned off the bar.
Li's dismissal minutes before the interval marked the turning point of the match. The striker failed to keep his head when provoked by Wuhan's Yang Kunpeng. He elbowed the defender in the face and was shown red.
The visitors took full advantage of the extra man and kept the play in Shenzhen's territory for most of the second half. But Jianlibao goalie Li Leilei, who played for China in their friendly against Ireland last Tuesday, kept the visiting strikers at bay with some outstanding saves.
