Special Correspondent/Song Ci In the 15th round of the Chinese Super League, Beijing Guoan traveled to take on Chongqing Tonglianglong. The game saw dramatic shifts. Guoan went ahead by one goal, only to have the hosts net twice in a row. Trailing, the team fought back with determination, turning the score into a thrilling 3–2 comeback victory. This result ended the opponent's undefeated home streak for the season and marked an important win as the first half wrapped up. Head coach Montgomery lauded the squad's "indomitable" spirit after the match, injecting valuable morale into the team.

Three Away Points Shatter Hosts' Unbeaten Home Record

Chongqing Tonglianglong, this season's promoted team, had impressed with a record of 6 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses for 24 points, sitting second in the standings. They remained unbeaten at home, and their defense, conceding only 13 goals, tied with Chengdu Rongcheng for the best in the CSL. Facing such a tough opponent, Guoan deployed a 4-4-2 formation, with Zhang Yuning and Fabio leading the attack, Zhang Xizhe and Sergio in midfield, and Ramos and Wang Gang anchoring the defense.

The match was a rollercoaster. In the 34th minute, Guoan broke the deadlock: Zhang Xizhe delivered a precise free kick from the left, and Fabio controlled the ball in the box before slotting home, sending Guoan into halftime 1–0 up. After the break, Chongqing launched a fierce counterattack, scoring twice in the 53rd and 68th minutes to turn the game around, making their home fortress seem unbreachable.

In desperate circumstances, Guoan showed iron resilience. In the 82nd minute, Zhang Xizhe crossed from the left, and Sergio fired a low shot while falling to equalize at 2–2. Just three minutes later, the decisive moment arrived: Wang Gang lifted a ball into the box from the right, Zhang Yuning's aggressive pressure forced Chongqing goalkeeper Yao Haoyang into a mistake, and Fabio poked home to make it 3–2. Guoan completed a stunning comeback.

Fabio was the hero of the match with a brace, breaking his recent goal drought and enjoying a personal highlight moment of the season. Although Zhang Yuning did not score, his constant running and effective link-up play were crucial; both goals after falling behind were directly related to his intense pressure in the penalty area.

After the game, Guoan head coach Montgomery stated: "I believe anyone who watched the entire match would have no dispute about this scoreline. We deserved this victory. Every player showed resilient will on the field. We just mentioned this in the locker room as well—everyone displayed an unyielding character. Getting three points in the final match before the World Cup break is what we earned."

Strong May Rebound Yields 12 Points

The away comeback against Chongqing was not only a key win for Guoan in the first half of the season but also a perfect finish to their strong May run. Throughout May, despite a packed schedule, injury troubles, and lineup adjustment issues, Guoan posted an impressive record of 3 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss, accumulating 12 points—one of the best performances in the CSL that month. Their points tally was only behind Chengdu Rongcheng (15), Zhejiang Greentown (14), and Henan Caifangtao (13), injecting strong momentum into a season that had been struggling.

Looking back at May's journey, Guoan faced numerous tests. On May 6 in Round 10, they beat Dalian Yingbo 3–0 at home despite Cao Yongjing being sent off in the first half, leaving them with ten men. The team united, with Ramos heading in and Lin Liangming adding another, securing their first home win to boost morale. On May 10 in Round 11, a home clash against defending champions Shanghai Port was a thrilling affair; Guoan had three goals disallowed, and although they failed to win at home, it was one of their best performances of the season. On May 19 in Round 13, they drew 1–1 away to Qingdao West Coast. After the opponent's center-back was sent off, Guoan, despite having a numerical advantage, could not secure the win, settling for a disappointing draw. On May 23 in Round 14, they suffered a 2–1 home loss to Henan after taking the lead through Da Wan's header; the visitors scored a late winner, Guoan's only defeat in May.

Despite occasional ups and downs, Guoan showed a clear upward trend overall in May. They gradually shook off their early-season slump, with both attack and defense becoming more stable. Offensively, as Fabio regained form and Zhang Yuning continued his high-level performances, firepower significantly improved. Data shows that in May, Guoan scored 8 goals in 4 matches, averaging 2 goals per game—a sharp increase in attacking efficiency compared to the previous four months. Meanwhile, the team's ability to withstand pressure and fight from behind grew notably. The comeback against Chongqing was the perfect testament—from trailing to equalizing to sealing the win, the squad displayed unprecedented toughness and cohesion.

For Guoan, the 12 points in May did not come easily. Early in the season, the team was mired in a slump, hovering around the lower half of the standings, with multiple challenges including injuries, poor form from foreign players, and lineup integration issues making progress difficult. But the strong rebound in May not only brought their first-half total to 20 points and lifted them to 10th place, but more importantly restored confidence and found a rhythm. Club executives admitted: "Every match in May was tough, but the players never gave up. This spirit is the team's most valuable asset." The club hopes that after the upcoming break, the team can sustain May's momentum and continue advancing despite adversity.