Beijing FC's Zhang Xizhe (L) vies for the ball during a Group G match between China's Beijing FC and South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the 2019 AFC Champions League in Jeonju, South Korea, March 6. (Xinhua/Lee Sangho)
SEOUL, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan lost their opening match in Group G of the 2019 AFC Champions League, as they were defeated 3-1 by South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors here on Wednesday.
In their first Champions League match since 2015, Guoan started with all four of their overseas players, including Kim Min-Jae, who faced his former club. Jeonbuk surprisingly benched striker Kim Shin-Wook in favor of veteran Lee Dong-Gook.
Guoan had the first attempt on goal, as hitman Cedric Bakambu's angled drive flew wide.
However, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Han Kyo-Won shook off Guoan's defense and sent the ball into an empty net from a tight angle.
Guoan leveled in the 41st minute as Jonathan Viera pulled back from the byline for Zhang Xizhe, who beat keeper Song Bum-Keun with a first-time strike.
Jeonbuk restored their lead just two minutes into the second-half, after Han Kyo-Won drew out goalkeeper Zou Dehai and squared for Lee Dong-Gook to slide in.
Lee continued his fearsome form as his header forced Zou into a good save, before his curling shot from distance hit the woodwork.
Jeonbuk extended their lead to 3-1 in the 71st minute, after Lee set up substitute Kim Shin-Wook to steer his header into the top corner.
Guoan's coach Roger Schmidt said: "Jeonbuk played a good match, they exploited our mistakes and punished us. We lost the tempo after 1-3 and they did have a better performance than us."
Guoan's next Champions League match will be at home to Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds on March 13.
