Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan scores on debut to send Shanghai SIPG to the top of Chinese League

 

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan hit the ground running by scoring and creating a penalty in his debut for Shanghai SIPG on Wednesday after coming off the bench to shoot the club to the top of the Chinese Super League.

The 29-year-old scored what eventually proved to be the winner with his head in the 80^th minute of the match against Tianjin Teda, indicating that he is worth the amount of money the Chinese side splashed to sign him.

The Black Stars captain, who was a second-half substitute, also created the penalty that was converted to help Shanghai draw level after Tianjin Teda had taken the lead.

Several Ghanaians were in the crowd to watch the Ghana captain and he didn't disappoint them by notching the winner that shows his attacking prowess.

Gyan had only trained once with his new club on Wednesday but was considered fit enough to start the game off the bench.

His introduction in the second half produced instant results as the Black Stars captain won a penalty kick which was converted by Davi to cancel out Barcos’ 36^th minute opener.

The former Sunderland man in keeping up with his own tradition of scoring on his debut popped up at the far post to head in the winner 10 minutes from time.

Shanghai SIPG held onto that lead to the finish in a triumph that sees them overtake Beijing Gouan at the top of the Chinese Super League days before both team square off against each other.

Gyan completed a two-year move Shanghai SIPG only last week after spending four successful years in the UAE with Al Ain.

His arrival is expected to boost Shanghai’s ambition of winning their second ever Super League title at the end of the current season.