Football
Reuters 16y

UPDATE 1-Soccer-Elvis helps Changchun seal first China title

(adds quotes, detail, byline)

By Nick Mulvenney

SHENZHEN, Nov 14 - Honduran Elvis Scott scored
twice as unfashionable Changchun became champions for the first
time by demolishing Shenzhen 4-1 in the final round of Chinese
Super League (CSL) matches on Wednesday.

China's Wang Dong and Brazilian forward Ronny also netted in
the first half to help the Northern club clinch the title in
only their second year in the top flight.

Beijing Guoan needed to beat defending champions Shandong
Luneng and hope Changchun slipped up. A 1-0 win in the Chinese
capital meant they finished second, one point adrift.

"We've been longing for the title for a long time, we're so
excited," said Changchun and China midfielder Du Junyu after
celebrating with about 1,000 fans who had made the long trip
down from Jilin province.

Changchun were denied promotion in 2001 when their coach and
several players were banned for a year for their involvement in
a match-fixing scandal.

They missed out again after finishing as Jie B champions in
2003 as the Chinese authorities decided there should be no
promotion or relegation that year and it was 2006 before
Changchun reached the top flight.

"I've got a good bunch of players, they're quite a young
side and they work well with the coaches," said coach Gao
Hongbo.

"The other reason we won the title was the top teams didn't
really play that well this season."

Scott needed only two minutes to muscle his way past two
defenders and poke his 11th goal of the season past Shenzhen's
goalkeeper.

Shenzhen equalised through skilful Ivorian striker Kamate in
the 25th but their defenders were soon showing why the 2004
champions have been involved in a battle to avoid relegation as
the Du-inspired Changchun ran them ragged.

Wang put Changchun back ahead three minutes later after a
goalmouth scramble, Ronny lashed the third in the 43rd before
Scott turned in a cross from Du in first-half stoppage time.

Changchun qualify for next year's Asian Champions League but
will not have the chance to match Shandong's 2006 double as the
Chinese FA Cup was cancelled to help the Olympic team prepare
for the 2008 Beijing Games.

Xiamen finished bottom of the 15-team league and were
relegated while Chengdu Blades, owned by English club Sheffield
United, and Guangzhou will go up to make a top flight of 16
teams next season.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)

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