Beijing Guoan Head Coach Comments on Two New Signings: Capable and Experienced, Team Officially Enters AFC Champions League Rhythm_Montgomery_League_1

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According to news on September 10 Beijing time, the 2026 AFC Champions League Elite competition proper is about to begin. Beijing Guoan will host traditional South Korean powerhouse Pohang Steelers at Workers' Stadium on the evening of September 15. During Guoan Club's open day today, Guoan head coach Montgomery said in an interview that the team has officially entered the AFC Champions League rhythm. The two AFC Champions League-specific new signings are accelerating their integration, and everyone on the team hopes to use the support of the home fans to play a good first match after returning to Asia's top club competition stage.

“Today is the first day of our preparation work,” Montgomery said in the interview. He revealed that the team held a training match two days ago with the purpose of helping the newly arrived players complete their adaptation with all the squad members participating in the AFC Champions League. “Our two new arrivals are both very capable and very experienced. Their arrival will definitely bring us a lot of help. They have integrated well now, and the whole team is also helping them. The two players cannot wait to make their appearances in front of everyone.”

For Guoan, which is returning to the AFC Champions League Elite competition after many years, the continental tournament is not only a series of matches but also an opportunity to showcase the character of Beijing football to Asia. Montgomery admitted that veteran players such as Hou Sen, Wang Gang and Li Lei are very eager to compete in the AFC Champions League, while the new signings also regard this experience as a fresh and important challenge. “Because all the veteran players, including Hou Sen, Wang Gang and Li Lei, are looking forward to playing. Our new players also have a very fresh experience. We hope to play the matches well with the support of all the fans, including our first match coming up.”

According to the schedule, Guoan's first opponent, Pohang Steelers, is not an easy side to face: they are a long-established K League team, three-time AFC Champions League winners, with a physical style and quick transitions. However, Guoan is not without confidence. To avoid conflicts between the Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League schedules, the club specifically brought in two “AFC Champions League-specific foreign players” to strengthen the forward line and squad depth.