The Chinese Super League (CSL) title race kicked off on Sunday with Sanzhen defeating Beijing Guoan 2-1 at the National Stadium in Beijing.
The opening match of the season saw the two top teams clash, with Sanzhen coming out on top thanks to goals from Li Tie and Wu Lei.
It was a closely contested game, with both teams creating chances throughout the match. However, it was Sanzhen who were able to take the lead through a goal from Li Tie in the 65th minute.
Beijing Guoan then fought back in the second half, with Wu Lei equalizing for them just before halftime. But Sanzhen were able to hold onto their lead and secure a hard-fought victory.
The result sees Sanzhen move to the top of the table, while Beijing Guoan drop to second place. It will be interesting to see how this match-up develops over the course of the season as these two sides continue to compete for the league title.
Overall, it was a thrilling opening match for the CSL title race, with Sanzhen showing that they have what it takes to compete with the best teams in China. The competition is sure to be fierce, but with such talented players like Li Tie and Wu Lei leading the way, there is no doubt that Sanzhen will be one to watch in the coming weeks and months.