In the Chinese Super League (CSL), Beijing Guoan's first game after two months off for the World Cup was an opportunity to move into first place in front of their home fans. But the struggling visitors, Henan Jianye weren't pushovers for the Capital Club, as they needed some late heroics from Jonathan Viera to make the difference.

With international football's top tournament in the books, the CSL season was back in swing, and the stakes were raised significantly, as domestic competition returns to Beijing's Workers Stadium.

In front of a boisterous crowd, thrilled to watch live action after an eight-week layoff, Cedric Bakambu gave the fired-up fans exactly what they came to see, as the DRC forward put the Green and White side ahead 1-0 in the 32nd minute.

The audience's energy level took a noticeable dip 17 minutes into the second half, as Feng Zhuoyi found the back of the net for Henan Jianye, leveling the score at 1-1. As the clock continued to tick, however, the supporters regained their rhythm, and were well rewarded when Jonathan Viera moved Beijing in front again, three minutes from time. The Spanish midfielder's goal sealed a 2-1 victory that shot Guoan into first place, but coach Roger Schmidt didn't think there was much to celebrate, just yet.

The Beijing Guoan coach said after the match, "I understand that we've moved to the top due to earning a good result, but I want to say we haven't gotten to the middle of the season, and it is not necessary for us to enjoy this too much."

"Early in the year, I said we will play the role of challengers, and now we are good challengers," he added

Although the 2018 campaign isn't even half done at this point, Guoan's followers could not be happier with their squad, and fervently hope the Capital Club's newly-won lead in the CSL table, won't be relinquished anytime soon.