Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beijing: Andrija Kaluderovic’s first-half strike saw Brisbane Roar pull off a stunning 1-0 victory at Beijing Guoan on Tuesday, as the A-League champions ended the Chinese Super League side’s lengthy undefeated streak and kept alive their hopes for a place in the AFC Champions League Round of 16.
Needing to beat Group G leaders Beijing to ensure their knockout stages ambitions remained intact until the final matchday, Brisbane were up against it against a side that had not tasted defeat in 2015 but Serbian striker Kaluderovic’s 39th minute goal shocked a noisy and partisan crowd at Beijing Workers Stadium.
Coming against the run of play in a game Beijing had been dominating, the hosts redoubled their efforts in the second half but were thwarted by Jamie Young in the Brisbane goal as well as a doughty backline.
With Suwon Samsung ensuring their place in the last 16 by defeating Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 in the group’s other game, Beijing and Brisbane’s AFC Champions League destiny is now put on hold for two weeks’ time and the final round of fixtures.
Having rested a bevy of players for the trip to Urawa in the 1-1 draw in Saitama, Beijing brought back Li Yunqiu, Dejan Damjanovic, Jin Pengxiang, Ha Dae-sung and Pablo Batalla into the starting line-up. While for Brisbane, defender Jade North and midfielder Devante Clut returned after missing out on their own 1-1 draw with Suwon.
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Thijssen glad Brisbane back in the hunt for Round of 16
The hosts began the half on the front foot and were intent on attacking from the kick-off with Argentinian playmaker Batalla at the heart of much of their forward play.
On 12 minutes it was the South American’s ball in from the right that fell at the feet of striker Damjanovic inside the area.
The Montenegro international adroitly laid off a pass to the nearby Song Boxuan but he was denied first by the feet of Young before steering the rebound narrowly wide.
Shortly after the half hour mark, Swedish forward Erton Fejzullahu picked out Yu Dabao on the left side of the penalty area but the striker, with two goals already in the continental competition, was unable to add to his tally as he curled narrowly over.
But with just six minutes of the half remaining the visitors took the lead against the run of play. Clut chipped a sumptuous pass over the top and Kaluderovic kept his composure to slot past Yang Zhi.
Beijing came out after the interval keen to at least salvage the point that would take them through to the Round of 16 with a game to spare.
But Young in the Brisbane goal continued to have an inspired night keeping out a free-kick on the hour mark before bravely preventing an equaliser from a corner shortly after.
And although the hosts were on top from much of the second period, the A-League champions had chances to add to their lead with Brandon Borello, Kaluderovic and lastly Luke Brattan from an 89th minute free-kick all going close.
Beijing were unable to find their breakthrough and saw their undefeated run in 2015 ended by Frans Thijssen’s side with both sides now having to wait till the final matchday to see who joins Suwon in the Round of 16.
Photo: WSG