CSL: Rafael Benitez and Giovanni van Bronckhorst rained off while Shandong Luneng win again
- Heavy rain postpones meeting between Rafael Benitez’s Dalian Pro and Giovanni van Bronckhort’s Guangzhou R&F to Sunday
- Shandong Luneng beat Shenzhen in early game amid downpour in Dalian as strugglers confirm Jordi Cruyff as new boss
Saturday’s Chinese Super League action in Dalian was restricted to just one game as a heavy downpour in the coastal city saw the evening game called off.
That meant a stay of execution for managers Rafael Benitez and Giovanni von Bronckhorst whose struggling sides were to meet before the pitch was deemed unplayable. That game has now been rescheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Benitez’s Dalian Pro and Van Bronckhort’s Guangzhou R&F are both winless this season and rooted to the foot of group A so the pressure is on both managers. Shenzhen’s Roberto Donadoni became the first managerial casualty of the season in midweek, just four games in.
In the earlier game Shandong Luneng won 2-0 against Shenzhen, who confirmed that Jordi Cruyff will be their new head coach. Graziano Pelle and Liu Binbin secured all three points for Li Xiaopeng’s side.
Champions Guangzhou Evergrande beat Henan Jianye on Friday night. A goal from Paulinho and two for Wei Shihao guiding them to a 3-1 win, while Fernando Karanga scored the Henan goal.