Now to football and the Chinese Super League. Beijing Guoan's first game after two months off for the World Cup would be an opportunity to move into first place in front of their home fans. But struggling visitors Henan Jianye would not be pushovers for the Capital Club, who need some late heroics from Jonathan Viera to make the difference. Damion Jones reports. 

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

DAMION JONES BEIJING "Beijing Guoan come out of the World Cup Break with a chance to go top in the Chinese Super League by grabbing a win at home against Henan Jianye. Success in that quest would give the Capital Club's fans renewed hope that this really might be the season that their team can finally win its first title in almost a decade."

In front of a boisterous crowd thrilled to be watching live action after an eight-week layoff, Cedric Bakambu gives the fired-up fans exactly what they came to see, as the DRC forward puts the side that wears Green & White ahead 1-0 in the 32nd minute.

CEDRIC BAKAMBU BEIJING GUOAN FORWARD "We have to play a lot of games, you know, it's not finished. During the World Cup, we worked a lot together, and we hope we will win a lot of games."

The audience's energy level takes a noticeable dip 17 minutes into the second half, as Feng Zhuoyi finds the back of the net for Henan Jianye, levelling the score at 1-ALL. As the clock continues to tick, however, the supporters regain their rhythm, and are well rewarded when Jonathan Viera moves Beijing in front again, three minutes from time. The Spanish midfielder's goal seals a 2-1 victory that shoots Guoan into first place, but coach Roger Schmidt doesn't think there's much to celebrate, just yet.

ROGER SCHMIDT BEIJING GUOAN COACH "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."

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. DJ, CGTN, Beijing.