Beijing, Shaanxi enjoy winning start

Beijing Guoan and Shaanxi Chanba both were 2-0 winners in the opening round of the Chinese Super League on Sunday.

Beijing Guoan’s 2-0 victory at Jiangsu Shuntian saw them claim top spot in the league after just one match, with both goals coming in the space of three second-half minutes.

After a cagey opening, the 2009 champions claimed the lead after 58 minutes when Wang Changqing hit the back of the net after he was left unmarked at the far post.

The hosts hit back with an attack of their own, but were hit with the ultimate sucker punch when Guoan grabbed their second on the counterattack.

Honduran international Walter Martinez kick-started the move with a nice run, before cutting in from the left and setting up Australian Joel Griffiths, who made no mistake from close range.

Content with a two goal lead, the visitors sat back and protected their advantage as they started their season in style.

In the day’s other match, a second-half brace from Wilson gave Shaanxi Chanba a 2-0 triumph over Liaoning Hongyun.

Wilson opened the scoring after 49 minutes, and added his second nine minutes later to wrap up the points and give Shaanxi their first win in five Chinese Super League matches.