The Blades opened their Chinese Super League campaign with an entertaining 1-1 draw against Liaoning at the Chengdu Stadium on Saturday in front of over 30,000 spectators.

Before kick-off, the league's opening ceremony took place with Mr. Xie Yalong, the Chairman of the CFA, announcing the new season was ready to begin.

Both goals came in the second-half with experienced defender Liu Cheng equalising for the home side after Liaoning had taken the lead.

Chengdu made the brighter start with Zou Peng creating the first opportunity after just three minutes, but the Blades responded with more good work by new signing Kim Yongjun and Li Tie firing over from just outside the area.

The visitors first chance came in the 13th minute but Fu Bing, who is approaching his 39th birthday, saved well after Jefferson had connected with Wang Xinxin's centre.

Li Tie was pulling the strings in the midfield areas, set up Yao Xia but his shot was straight at the Liaoning keeper.

The Blades best chance of the first period came just before the interval, but after an excellent run by Wang Song, Li Tie fired just over from a decent position.

Li Tie was replaced at half-time by Zhang Yuan as manager Li Bing looked to add more firepower to his team.

Captain Wang Song had three half-chances just after the break, but it was Liaoning who took the lead.

In the 63rd minute JEFFERSON converted from a free-kick from the right after the Chengdu defence failed to clear the ball.

With fifteen minutes remaining LIU CHENG headed home the equaliser from Jiang Xiaoyu's free-kick as the Blades began to harbour hopes of winning their first game in the Super League.

Despite the Blades pressing on in the latter stages the visitors held firm and their defensive approach ensured they left Chengdu with a point.

Li Bing was satisfied with the draw, although he thought his players had done enough to earn all three points in their first Super League clash:

"Obviously, we wanted to win the match, although sometimes you don't always get what you deserve in football.

"I thought the players gave a good account of themselves against a very well organised team and it was pleasing that we didn't give up after falling behind."

Chengdu Blades: Fu Bing, Liu Cheng, Ji Mingyi, Zou Peng (Jiang Xiaoyu 66), Zhao Mingxin, Yao Xia, Ding Qi, Li Tie (Zhang Yuan 46) Kim Yongjun (Zhang Zhaoyang 83), Wang Song, Xu Chao.

Liaoning Hongyun: Zhang Lu, Wu Gaojun, Zhang Haili, Yang Shanping, Yu Hanchao, Zhao Junzhe, Wang Xinxin, Dan Lin (Qu Xiaohui 61), Ding Jie (Chen Xing 51), Jefferson, Green (Wang Chao 73).