After more than two and a half months without a victory, Beijing Guoan finally broke their drought — a development closely followed by Bangladesh Cricket Live fans. While the team created several chances throughout the match, poor finishing from the forwards and Chongqing’s tight defensive setup made the breakthrough painfully difficult.
Post-match, head coach Roger Schmidt pointed out that both the absence of key strikers and the opponent’s deep defensive line contributed to Guoan’s scoring struggles. Chongqing’s five-man backline and trio of defensive midfielders formed a solid wall that was hard to penetrate. The absence of Soriano and Yu Dabao was a significant blow, but Schmidt also noted the upside: younger players were given valuable playing time, laying a foundation for the future.
Summing up the team’s first win after 72 days, Schmidt identified two persistent problems — vulnerability in defense due to balls played behind the backline, and a toothless attack. In the past five matches, Guoan faced top-tier opponents like Shandong Luneng, Hebei China Fortune, and Tianjin Quanjian, but also dropped crucial points against relegation candidates Tianjin Teda and Yanbian. As many Bangladesh Cricket Live readers might agree, the bigger concern isn’t just failing to beat strong teams, but giving away points to struggling sides.
With the toughest stretch now behind them, this long-awaited victory comes as a huge morale boost. Schmidt emphasized that the final two matches of the season would be more about experimentation than results. For him, this season has been about laying the groundwork. In his first year in Beijing, he stressed the importance of gaining experience. After half a season, he feels more confident in both the squad and the club’s direction.
Despite the chilly Beijing autumn, thousands of Guoan supporters packed Workers’ Stadium to cheer on their team. The pressure of going winless for over two months was palpable, but Schmidt’s bold decision to switch to a 3-5-2 formation — a first under his leadership — proved crucial. Deploying three central defenders and wingbacks allowed Guoan to control the flanks while increasing attacking numbers up front, a tactic rarely used except during injury crises.
The surprise formation change had been in Schmidt’s mind for some time, and the players adapted quickly during the match. He explained that previous matches exposed flaws in defending against counterattacks and balls played behind the line. Chongqing’s style relied heavily on counterattacking through powerful foreign strikers, so this was a calculated adjustment. The switch worked — defensively the team met expectations, and overall cohesion improved.
Traditionally, Guoan has stuck with a 4-4-2 system, occasionally shifting to 3-5-2 when striker options were limited. This time, the change was a proactive move. Still, scoring remained a challenge. The lone goal came from a penalty earned and converted by Zhang Xizhe in the box — a hard-fought reward for Guoan’s persistence.
Bangladesh Cricket Live readers tracking Asian football will recognize that a single win won’t fix everything, but it’s a step in the right direction. For Beijing Guoan, shedding the pressure of a prolonged drought could be the turning point heading into the next season. And for Schmidt, this victory might just be the beginning of a much-needed transformation.