Before Their AFC Champions League Opener, Beijing Guoan Suffer Double Blow, Making Victory Over Pohang Steelers More Difficult

At 20:15 on September 15, 2026, the first round of the East Asian zone AFC Champions League Elite competition is set to begin. Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan will face the strong Pohang Steelers from South Korea's K League, and the match has drawn significant attention from Chinese fans.

This season, Beijing Guoan's Chinese Super League campaign has gone through a process of recovering from a poor start, and they have now climbed to second place in the standings. However, due to the points gap accumulated earlier, catching up with league leaders Chengdu Rongcheng appears difficult, meaning Guoan are unlikely to compete for the CSL title this season. Against this backdrop, they will naturally shift their focus to the AFC Champions League and prepare to give their all against Pohang Steelers.

Unfortunately, setbacks arrived before this important match, as Beijing Guoan received two pieces of bad news. First, attacking player Zhang Yuning will miss the AFC Champions League match after being called up to participate in the Asian Games. Second, defensive key player Bai Yang faces a suspension across seasons due to accumulating a red card in the final round of last season. The absence of these two important players will undoubtedly weaken Beijing Guoan's overall strength.

As an undisputed starter in the forward line, Zhang Yuning is not only the team's biggest attacking weapon but also possesses strong ball-holding and heading abilities. His presence makes Guoan more threatening in attack. In addition, he has already contributed 11 goals and 6 assists for the team this season, demonstrating his attacking efficiency. Therefore, Zhang Yuning's absence will directly affect Guoan's attacking output.

Bai Yang is an important pillar of Guoan's defense. Standing at 190 cm, he has performed well in aerial duels and physical contests, making him a key figure in wide-area defense. With his accurate long passing ability, Bai Yang not only helps connect the team's attack and defense but also effectively maintains the stability of the defensive line on the flank. His suspension will put Guoan's defensive ability to a major test.

In summary, facing a Pohang Steelers side that was already expected to be a difficult opponent, Beijing Guoan have now suffered a double blow. Whether they can secure a home victory is a major concern.