Beijing Guoan cruise past struggling Tianjin Teda
Beijing Guoan produced a masterclass in efficiency to secure a comprehensive 4-2 victory over Tianjin Teda at the Olympic Centre Stadium on Saturday. The visitors, already three places clear in the table, extended their advantage while the hosts fell further behind in their push for mid-table security. F. Abreu opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Dawhan struck twice before half-time to give Beijing a commanding lead.
The opening goal came from Abreu, who found space to slot home after Tianjin's defence stretched too wide. Dawhan then made it two before the break, capitalising on defensive confusion in the penalty area. The Chinese striker added a second just before the interval, catching the home side flat-footed as they tried to respond. By then Tianjin looked shell-shocked, their usual territorial dominance rendered meaningless.
Tianjin pulled one back through Cao Yongjing in the 49th minute, a goal that briefly lifted the crowd. J. Liu then equalised in the 70th minute, and for a moment the hosts believed they could turn this around. But Beijing held firm and sealed the result when A. Quiles found the net in the 87th minute, stretching the lead beyond any realistic comeback.
The statistics tell the story of a match decided by clinical finishing. Tianjin enjoyed 51 per cent possession and created six big chances, yet converted only two of eight shots on target. Beijing, with 49 per cent possession, took six shots on target and hit the back of the net four times. The visitors also maintained a higher accuracy rate of 67 per cent compared to Tianjin's 42 per cent.
Beijing's defensive solidity remained their hallmark throughout. They made 52 clearances to Tianjin's 12, and their goalkeeper was called into action five times. The home side's attacking volume was impressive—103 attacks against 59—but without the cutting edge to match. Tianjin's three substitutions in the 62nd minute could not shift the momentum.
The result leaves Beijing Guoan firmly in third place with 38 points from 26 matches, while Tianjin Teda remain 14th on 22 points after 25 games. The visitors have now won two of their last three league outings, including this convincing display. Tianjin's recent form has shown flashes of improvement, but this performance suggests they still have work to do to close the gap on the teams above them.
What stands out is not the number of chances created, but how Beijing managed to take theirs. Three substitutions in the second half for the hosts could not change the fundamental equation. The visitors held a high line without being exposed, and when Tianjin tried to press, they found themselves exposed on the counter. It was a professional performance from Guoan, one that extended their unbeaten run and left their opponents to reflect on missed opportunities.