Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beijing: Montenegrin striker Dejan Damjanovic netted midway through the second half as Chinese qualifiers Beijing Guoan maintained a 100% record in the AFC Champions League this season with a 1-0 win over Korea Republic’s Suwon Samsung FC on Wednesday in Group G.
After Suwon had edged an even first half at Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium, the visitors were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark as defender Yang Sang-min was sent-off.
And Beijing took full advantage as Damjanovic headed home from a corner five minutes later to ensure Gregorio Manzano’s side followed up last week’s 1-0 win over Australian champions Brisbane Roar.
And with A-League champions Brisbane bouncing back with a 1-0 win over Urawa Reds in Japan, Beijing find themselves three points clear at the top of the table as Manzano’s side seek to return to the knockout stage for the first time since 2013 having failed to make it out of their group last year.
Manzano grateful for key win as Beijing make it two out of two
K-League Classic runners-up Suwon, who beat Urawa 2-1 at home last week, started an even contest with the edge in terms of attacking threats as captain Yeom Ki-hun drifted a free-kick from just outside the penalty area just wide of the post before Brazilian team-mate Santos also failed to find the target from a similar position.
Beijing goalkeeper Yang Zhi then had to be on his toes to race of his line to block at the feet of Kwon Chang-hoon from Jong Tae-se’s perfectly weighted through ball into the area.
The home side did have their chances, although Montenegrin striker Damjanovic shot straight at Suwon goalkeeper No Dong-geon in first half stoppage time.
Damjanovic again went close at the start of the second half as the striker fired just wide of the target.
But just six minutes after the restart the game tuned in favour of the home side as Suwon’s Yang picked up a second yellow card after clashing with Zhang Chengdong.
And Beijing took full advantage as Damjanovic, who helped Korea’s FC Seoul reach the 2013 AFC Champions League final, sent a towering header from a right-wing corner past goalkeeper No just five minutes later with the visiting custodian left flatfooted in the centre of his goal.
And despite Suwon’s best efforts in the closing stages, the 10 men were unable to find a way back and were forced to settle for a first defeat of the campaign.
Photo: WSG