A last look at Beijing Guoan reveals the haunting resurgence of familiar failings

Beijing Guoan have an uncanny knack for being party poopers, even when they have no skin in the game. One of the most indelible instances occurred in 1999 when the Chinese capital powerhouse ruthlessly wrecked Liaoning Fushun's title dreams on the final day of the season. Despite the high-flying Liaoning having a glorious opportunity to win the league simply by beating Beijing, they could only muster a costly draw, thus relinquishing the trophy to Shandong Luneng.

Fast forward to 2008, and Beijing once again embraced their role as the ultimate spoilers in a nail-biting title run-in. During a high-stakes showdown, the Chinese capital giants held Shanghai Shenhua, who had led the way for much of the campaign, to a scrappy stalemate, effectively clearing the path for Shandong to come from behind to snatch the crown by a mere two points.

In a case of deja vu, the same scenario unfolded last Friday. Shanghai Port, just one win away from claiming their second top-flight title, found themselves grappling with the relentless pressing of a depleted Beijing squad. Defying all odds, Beijing's second string pulled off a huge upset, coming away with a smash-and-grab 2-1 victory on Shanghai's turf, leaving the shell-shocked home crowd in stunned silence.

It is this innate tenacity and indomitable spirit that endows Beijing with a distinct and alluring aura. As epitomized by their famous motto, "Always Strive For First," the team never shy away from formidable opponents, never back down and steadfastly upholds the principles of fair competition. Even when the odds are stacked against them, they would remain unwavering in their commitment to give their all until the very end.

This might explain why, despite Beijing bowing out of the title race early this season, their home matches continue to draw a massive influx of fans, making the Workers' Stadium the venue with the highest average attendance in the Chinese Super League. The same held true for their encounter with Chengdu Rongcheng on Sunday, as the area surrounding the ground was packed to the brim well before kick-off.

As the crowds swelled, so did the palpable tension that hung in the air. In the build-up to the tie, Beijing assistant coach Tao Wei had declared his team's determination to end their final home game of the season on a victorious note. However, there was a cause for serious concern following their shocking defeat of league leaders Shanghai Port.

Beijing had paid a hefty price for it as seasoned veterans Yu Dabao and Chi Zhongguo were both ruled out on Sunday due to accumulated yellow cards. Adding to the worry, head coach Ricardo Soares was also barred from barking orders from the sideline due to the same disciplinary issue.

In a striking juxtaposition, Chengdu came into the game with a fiery vengeance, determined to settle the score. It was in their first encounter back in July when Beijing, deemed the underdogs after a poor run of results, clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Chengdu. That match saw 21-year-old prodigy Nebijan Muhmet net his first-ever professional goal, securing Soares's first league win as Beijing coach while simultaneously putting an end to Chengdu's spectacular 27-match unbeaten streak in the Chinese Super League.

On this occasion, there were fleeting moments of brilliance from Beijing, showcasing their inherent class. However, noticeably absent was their customary resilience that has become synonymous with the club. The home crowd packed into the stadium sat in disbelief, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing.

This roller coaster of a match was a captivating mix of thrill and torment, a high-octane spectacle that truly got the adrenaline pumping. Chengdu, grateful for the presence of Felipe Sousa to inject a spark and turn the tide, emerged triumphant with a 3-2 thriller at Beijing's expense. Yet, despite the electrifying entertainment on display, it also served as a stark reminder of why neither of these teams can be considered genuine title contenders.

The pandemonium of the opening phase perfectly encapsulated the essence of this blockbuster. Whether it was Beijing carelessly gifting an early lead to their opponents or, once they regained momentum, valiantly creating scoring opportunities only to squander them, the deficiencies of both teams were glaringly evident.

When the final whistle echoed through the stadium, Beijing had little room for complaint. Fabio Abreu delivered a stellar performance, scoring two goals – one from a composed penalty and the other from a sensational strike, but the majority of Beijing players fell below par. 

The central defensive duo of Zhang Chengdong and Michael Ngadeu appeared increasingly on tenterhooks as the match progressed, utterly unable to contain the unabating threats posed by Sousa, Chengdu's two-goal hero, and Manuel Palacios, whose mesmerizing dribbling led to the winning goal in stoppage time. Another concern for Beijing lies in their dearth of creativity, despite the late introduction of Zhang Yuning, who had only recently returned from a serious injury.

Their poor transfer dealings further amplified the multitude of flaws within the club during the pre-season. In the absence of any other viable options, Zhang remained the most likely source of a goal. However, the need to rely on him highlighted a larger issue.

Bringing Zhang off the bench felt like an admission of failure as if all other avenues had been exhausted. It was a desperate gamble, a final roll of the dice to salvage the situation, hoping that the prolific goalscorer, despite not being a perfect fit, would conjure a miracle. Alas, the cruel hand of fate had different intentions.

"Today, we did not win the game, and we feel extremely disappointed," remarked a visibly crestfallen Tao Wei during the post-match press conference. "The players have given their utmost effort; they truly fought hard. In the end, I must still express my gratitude to all the fans who were showed up. We are genuinely grateful for their support, and we ought to have delivered better results to show our gratitude in return."

Amid the prevailing somber atmosphere, whispers of ambitious moves in the forthcoming transfer window have begun to circulate, igniting a glimmer of hope for renewed investment and a much-needed fresh start. However, it seems that Beijing's issues extend beyond mere personnel changes. In the realm of football, form can swiftly shift, but what was most disheartening on Sunday was the haunting familiarity of it all.

Whether it be Ricardo Soares, Stanley Menzo, Bruno Genesio, Roger Schmidt, or any other head coach, altering the helmsman seems to hold little sway when the entire team is inexorably sailing in the wrong direction.