Beijing Guoan solidified their dominance in the Chinese Super League (CSL) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Qingdao West Coast on Tuesday, securing the top spot in the standings on goal difference. The win extends their unbeaten run this season and marks their sixth consecutive home victory at Workers Stadium.
Key Moments Define Tense Match
Qingdao West Coast, seeking to break a four-game winless streak, tested Beijing's defense early. Visiting forward Nelson da Luz threatened in the 19th minute with a breakaway, but goalkeeper Hou Sen's sharp reflexes kept the hosts level. The breakthrough came five minutes later when defender Michael Ngadeu capitalized on a corner kick, his header deflecting off the post and Qingdao goalkeeper Li Hao's back into the net.
Beijing nearly doubled their lead before halftime, but Li Hao redeemed himself with crucial saves against Ngadeu's long-range effort and Sai Erjiniao's follow-up attempt. A resilient defensive performance in the second half sealed the narrow win for Guoan, who now lead Shanghai Shenhua by a single goal difference.
Standings Shake-Up
The result leaves Qingdao West Coast languishing in eighth place with only four wins in 14 matches. For Beijing, the victory underscores their status as title contenders, combining tactical discipline with home-field advantage. Analysts highlight their league-best defense, conceding just nine goals this season, as a key factor in their rise.
With the CSL season approaching its midpoint, Beijing's consistency sets the stage for a high-stakes rivalry with Shanghai Shenhua. The league resumes this weekend, with Guoan aiming to maintain momentum against Chengdu Rongcheng.
