AFC Champions League 2: Beijing Guoan overcome stubborn Hong Kong champions Tai Po
Visitors undone following three second-half goals but remain in hunt for progress to knockout stage
Tai Po dropped to the bottom of their topsy-turvy AFC Champions League Two group following a 3-0 loss away against Beijing Guoan on Thursday.
There were none of the thrills and spills from the sides’ 3-3 draw a fortnight ago, but Zhang Yuning and two-goal substitute Serginho both provided moments of genuine quality after half-time for Beijing to leapfrog the Hong Kong side into third.
Tai Po were typically steely, physical and disciplined on their first visit to the Chinese Super League club’s 68,000-capacity Workers’ Stadium, but they failed to test home goalkeeper Zhang Jianzhi.
Despite propping up Group E, Tai Po are only three points behind leaders Macarthur, who they visit in three weeks. The Australians, who lost their opening fixture at Tai Po, won 2-1 at home against Cong An Hanoi on Thursday.
An alarmingly vulnerable Beijing were fortunate to concede only three at Mong Kok Stadium two weeks ago. Here, though, they were rarely troubled.
Midway through the first half, Patrick Valverde, one of seven Brazilians in the visitors’ line-up, skipped clear on the right but his overhit cross allowed Zhang Jianzhi to gather ahead of a frustrated James Temelkovski.
Centre-half Daciel headed over what would be Tai Po’s last real chance shortly before half-time.