View From Gongti: Beijing Guoan 0-2 Hangzhou Greentown

The show must go on, at least that was the case at Worker’s Stadium Saturday night where, despite the largest rains in Beijing in 60 years, Beijing Guoan took on Hangzhou Greentown. Unfortunately, the Beijingers couldn’t give a victory to the fans that braved the elements, instead they fell 2-0 to the visitors.

Guoan dominated play in the first half, but it was Hangzhou that got the only goal through a good counterattack. In the second half, new signings Freddie Kanoute and Joffre Guerron as well as Shao Jiayi kept the pressure on Hangzhou’s keeper, but he was more than up to the task.

Manager Jaime Pacheco went for broke, taking off two defenders and replacing them with forwards, but his strategy failed when Guoan fell to another Hangzhou counter attack in the 82nd minute, just after making the move.

It was a disappointing loss for the faithful who came out, another game where Guoan dominated the shots (20-5) and possession (63%-36%) and yet couldn’t find a goal. Tonight will offer a respite from the domestic league as the club takes on German giants Bayern Munich, though Guoan is unlikely to play its starters much. Then it’s on to Tianjin for a “local” derby this Saturday.

Read Brandon's full match report at WildEastFootball.