Beijing Guoan solidified their dominance at the midpoint of the Chinese Super League (CSL) season with a resounding 4-0 victory over Meizhou Hakka on Wednesday. Angolan striker Fabio Abreu stole the spotlight, netting a sensational hat-trick that ended his five-match goal drought and propelled him to the top of the CSL scoring charts with 11 goals.
The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Guga sliced through the right flank and delivered a precise cut-back, allowing Abreu to finish effortlessly from close range. Just before halftime, Abreu doubled the lead, converting a low shot after Uroš Spajić’s clever header flick-on.
Substitute Fang Hao injected fresh energy into the second half, scoring in the 55th minute after capitalizing on a pinpoint pass from Cao Yongjing. His celebration was heartfelt as he sprinted towards the traveling Beijing supporters, sharing the moment amidst rumors of a potential loan move to Changchun Yatai.
Abreu completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute, calmly slotting home after Zhang Yuan’s perfectly weighted through ball found him inside the box. This commanding performance not only secured Beijing Guoan’s 400th CSL victory but also extended their unbeaten streak to 23 matches dating back to last season, keeping them at the summit of the standings at the season’s halfway mark.
In other CSL action, Shanghai Shenhua defeated Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 3-0, ensuring that Beijing Guoan leads only on goal difference. Shinichi Chan opened the scoring in the 42nd minute after capitalizing on a defensive error. Jiang Shenglong added a second just before halftime, redirecting Gao Tianyi’s free-kick through the goalkeeper’s legs. André Luís sealed the victory in stoppage time, exploiting Tianjin’s aggressive push forward to add a third goal.
With the CSL season reaching its midpoint, the race for the title heats up as teams like Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Shenhua showcase their strength, promising an exciting second half for football fans across the globe.
