Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beijing: Late goals from Argentinian midfielder Pablo Batalla and forward Yu Dabao extended Beijing Guoan’s 100% record in all competitions in 2015 as the Chinese Super League side defeated Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan 2-0 on Tuesday to maintain their grip on top spot in Group G.
Eliminated in the group stage of the AFC Champions League last year, Gregorio Manzano’s Beijing side were on top for long spells but it took until the 78th minute for Batalla to convert their dominance into a breakthrough.
Urawa striker Naoki Ishihara then went close to an equaliser, but Yu’s composed finish with just six minutes of the tie remaining ensured Beijing reach the midway point of the group stage with a perfect record of three wins from three games.
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Having also won their opening two fixtures in the Chinese Super League, hosts Beijing threatened to overwhelm their visitors in the opening period at Beijing Workers’ Stadium with Dejan Damjanovic a constant threat every time he received the ball.
And it was the powerful Montenegrin forward who had the game’s first shot on target on 12 minutes as he held off a crowd of Urawa defenders to get away his shot inside the penalty area that goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa did well to palm away.
But, as the half wore on, Urawa began to claw their way back into the tie with forward Yuki Muto creating two golden opportunities to put his side in the lead.
His first sight of goal, on 19 minutes, saw him cut inside centreback Zhou Ting and let fly from just outside the penalty area, forcing a solid save from goalkeeper Yang Zhi who pushed his effort behind.
The former Vegalta Sendai striker then went even closer on the half hour mark as he out-paced Zhou again into the left-hand side of the area, only this time he shot low across Yang but, with the goalkeeper beaten, saw the ball glance off the far post.
Stung into action, Beijing surged forward again but were unable to make their pressure on Nishikawa’s goal count before the half-time interval.
Shortly before the hour mark, Keita Suzuki’s blunder almost cost Urawa dearly as the defender blocked Batalla’s intended through ball straight back to a lurking Damjanovic on the edge of the area.
Nishikawa, though, came to the rescue of his team-mate, saving the former FC Seoul and Jiangsu Sainty striker’s powerfully-struck low shot with his legs.
Beijing remained on top throughout the second half but found stalwart Urawa defending blocking their progress and on the rare occasions that their forwards did have a clear sight of goal their aim was often wayward.
But with 12 minutes remaining the Chinese Super League side finally had their breakthrough as Nishikawa came and failed to deal with a long ball lofted into his area only punching as far as Batalla who chipped the stranded custodian to give the hosts the lead.
Ishihara could have restored parity in the tie against the run of play, however, on 82 minutes as he flashed a header narrowly wide as he leaped highest on the penalty spot.
Just two minutes later, though second half substitute Yu put the game beyond Urawa as he received Batalla’s cutback on the edge of the area and stroked the ball left-footed past Nishikawa.
Photo: WSG