Although we’re already one match into the new season (two if you count the ACL match), we want to take a quick look at Beijing Guoan’s fixtures in the new season and what fans can come to expect. This year, Guoan has to compete on three fronts once again, with the Chinese Super League, the Asian Champions League, and the CFA Cup. No matter how it goes, we’re in for plenty of exciting football over the next six months (home matches in bold, ACL matches in italics).
March
With only four matches, it’s a slow start in the league’s opening month, but a tough away clash against Wuhan and then hosting repeat league champions, Guangzhou Evergrande, and their “traitor” (at least in the eyes of Guoan fans), Huang Bowen, is going to bring out the faithful in droves
Friday, 3/8 (19:35) vs. Shanghai East Asia
Wednesday, 3/13 (19:30) vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Saturday, 3/16 (15:35) @ Wuhan Zall
Friday, 3/29 (19:35) vs. Guangzhou Evergrande
April
This is the busiest month for the club, with eight matches, including three ACL matches. Outside of those ACL games, it’s not going to be easy as they face off against two of the other Chinese ACL sides, Jiangsu and Guizhou, as well as big spenders Aerbin.
Tuesday, 4/2 (20:00) @ Bunyodkor
Friday, 4/5 (19:35) @ Jiangsu Sainty
Wednesday, 4/10 (19:30) vs. Bunyodkor
Sunday, 4/14 (19:35) vs. Shanghai Shenxin
Friday, 4/19 (19:35) vs. Guizhou Renhe
Tuesday, 4/23 (19:30) vs. Pohang Steelers
Sunday, 4/28 (15:35) @ Dalian Aerbin
Tuesday, 4/30 (16:00) @ Sanfrecce Hiroshima
May
This is going to be an “easier” month for Guoan, though it contains two big derby matches in a row, first hosting Tianjin in the Jing-Jin Derby and then the China Derby against Shanghai Shenhua.
Sunday, 5/5 (19:35) vs. Changchun Yatai
Saturday, 5/11 (16:00) @ Guangzhou R&F
Saturday, 5/18 (19:35) vs. Tianjin Teda
Saturday, 5/29 (19:45) @ Shanghai Shenhua
June
Another “easier” month, with few matches and “lesser” opponents. The match against Shandong at the end of the month will be one that fans will definitely want to check out.
Saturday, 6/1 (19:35) vs. Liaoning Whowin
Saturday, 6/22 (19:35) @ Hangzhou Greentown
Wednesday, 6/26 (19:35) vs. Shandong Luneng
Saturday, 6/29 (15:35) @ Qingdao Jonoon
July
The hot summer sees the transfer window reopen and the league reach it’s halfway point. The big match is on the last day of the month in Guangzhou, but if things kick off between the fans in Wuhan, the return date is one many will look forward to.
Sunday, 7/7 (19:45) @ Shanghai East Asia
Sunday, 7/14 (19:35) vs. Wuhan Zall
Wednesday, 7/31 (19:35) @ Guangzhou Evergrande
August
Making up for the slow July is a busy August, though the club will mostly be on the road. At that time, will Jiangsu have Danalache back? Will Aerbin be firing on all cylinders? That’s definitely the match of the month.
Sunday, 8/4 (19:35) vs. Jiangsu Sainty
Saturday, 8/10 (19:45) @ Shanghai Shenxin
Saturday, 8/16 (19:30) @ Guizhou Renhe
Sunday, 8/25 (19:35) vs. Dalian Aerbin
Friday, 8/30 (19:35) @ Changchun Yatai
September
A two week break and then the season gets started with a single home match as fall descends on Beijing.
Friday, 9/14 (19:35) vs. Guangzhou R&F
Wednesday, 9/21 (19:35) @ Tianjin Teda
Sunday, 9/29 (19:35) @ Shanghai Shenhua
October
As the weather continues to cool, the games are few and far between, another month with only a single home game.
Saturday, 10/5 (19:35) @ Liaoning Whowin
Friday, 10/18 (19:35) vs. Hangzhou Greentown
Wednesday, 10/13 (19:45) @ Shandong Luneng
November
The season ends the first weekend of November with a home match against Qingdao. This should be a win for the Beijingers, but will it have title implications? ACL implications? Whatever the case may be, it will be the last time to see Guoan for another 5 months.
Saturday, 11/3 (15:30) vs. Qingdao Jonoon
