Anelka misses Shenhua opener

Shanghai Shenhua's blockbuster signing Nicolas Anelka has missed the opening game of his new club's season due to injury. The former Manchester City and Arsenal striker's debut was eagerly anticipated Saturday after he signed a two-year contract worth €270,000 euros a week for the Chinese Super League side. However, the French player's name was absent from the team sheet for Shenhua's opening match against regional rivals Jiangsu Sainty of Nanjing. Anelka's place was taken by Australian striker Joel Griffiths. The former Beijing Guoan hitman proved his worth by scoring the equaliser in the 60th minute with a close-range header, though, as the match ended 1-1. Jiangsu's Romanian Striker Cristian Danalache had given his side the lead in the 15th minute.