Super-sub Ba Li came on the pitch in the 59th minute and helped Hangzhou Greentown beat J-League Champions Nagoya Grampus with a goal and an assist at the Yellow Dragon Sports Center in Hangzhou on Tuesday.
Lone striker Luis Ramirez broke in the 60th minute with a close range shot in the box following Ba Li's low pass from the right. Ba Li proved to be coach Wu Jingui's crucial tactical change as the young attacker netted home a marvellous dipping shot from a tight angle on 85 minutes to seal victory.
Greentown took the upper hand at the first half. With a 4-2-3-1 formation, the hosts launched some fierce attacks through the flanks. Speedy right midfielder Shen Longyuan and attacking midfieler Wang Song provided several sharp crosses. Ramirez could have opened the scoring in the 10th minute if his lobbing shot was not tipped over by an in-form keeper Seigo Narazaki.
The visitors didn't find their pace before the break, they only threatened Greentown from a 28-min freekick, but defender Tulio Tanaka's drive inside the box following Fujimoto Jungo's wicked cutback flew high over the bar.
Greentown changed to the 442 formation with Ba Li and Ramirez led the striking force. After the goal, the hosts played with more confidence and created some chances, but Narazaki denied their efforts with steady performance. Ba Li showed strong desire for goal and rounded off the night with a somewhat unbelievable touch.
