Beijing Guoan logo (Photo : Wikimedia Commons)
While many of their compatriots continued to enjoy the Spring Festival holiday season at home, Beijing Guoan's players were jubilant on the field of a foreign country on Wednesday night after they prevailed against the Australian Brisbane Roar side.
The Chinese association football team walked off the Gold Coast field proud in the knowledge that they managed one goal to win the match, even though they were reduced to 10 players through the power of the referee's red card.
Beijing's former Swedish international, Erton Fejzullahu, was ordered off the playing field after he was seen stepping on the chest of Roar's midfielder, Adam Sarota.
The visiting team was penalized after the unaccepted tackle in the 28th minute of the first half, providing the Brisbane team with the advantage of an additional player for over 60 minutes of play.
In the end, a single goal was all that Beijing Guoan needed against the Australian side, which failed to score during the match.
The Chinese squad was ecstatic when Beijing substitute Chen Zhizhao's free kick landed in the back of the net after ricocheting off the head of Andrija Kaluderovic, a new Roar striker.
The joy of the Guoan players was shared by their coach, Gregorio Manzano, who was very pleased with his team's performance, which he said was embodied by "quality, their professionalism" and "flawless defence."
Manzano was warmly applauded by the Chinese media at the post-match press conference, but conceded to all of the reporters that Beijing had just played "a very tough game."
The Chinese team's coach said that he was shaken when Fejzullahu was sent off, but was relieved that the Guoan players "showed spirit to win."
