AFC Champions League second-tier group bottom finish! Guoan’s final match of 2025: release and farewell

Special contributor/Song Ci On December 11, during the 6th round of Group E in the 2025 AFC Champions League second-tier group stage, Beijing Guoan was defeated 1-2 by Macarthur FC. Over six group matches, they achieved 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses, totaling 5 points and finishing at the bottom of the group. This match also marked Guoan’s final game of the 2025 season. Following the season, players such as Zhang Yuan, Wang Ziming, Wang Gang, Gu Jia, and Ngadeu will depart from the squad.

This match was Beijing Guoan’s 41st official game in 2025 and also their last contest of the year. Having already been eliminated from the AFC Champions League second-tier tournament, this match was more about honor. Both the club and the team hoped to bid farewell to the 2025 season with a victory.

Five days earlier, after winning the FA Cup, Guoan returned to Beijing and focused on recovery. With foreign players Davan and Gu Jia returning home early, Guoan could not field their strongest lineup for this match. From the FA Cup-winning starting eleven, only Ngadeu and Zhang Yuning started again in this game.

Before the match began, Beijing fans specially used their phone flashlights at the stadium to form the shape of the FA Cup trophy, sharing the joy of the FA Cup victory once more. Perhaps inspired by the fans, although Guoan fielded mainly substitutes in the first half, the players showed great fighting spirit and dominated the play at times. Shots by Zhang Xizhe and Zhang Yuning posed threats to the opponent but failed to score, and the first half ended goalless.

After halftime, Macarthur scored first in the 56th minute from a corner kick. Fortunately, Guoan equalized just two minutes later through Serginho. Playing at home, Guoan hoped to secure a win and brought on key players Fabio, Lin Liangming, and Wu Shaocong in the 68th minute. However, shortly after, a defensive error led to a penalty for the opponent, and Guoan fell behind again.

Due to the absence of midfielders Davan and Gu Jia, and Zhang Xizhe’s early exit, Guoan lost control of the midfield. Even with Fabio upfront, the team struggled alone and ultimately failed to break through the opponent’s defense, losing 1-2 at home.

With the conclusion of this AFC Champions League second-tier group match, Beijing Guoan officially ended all their 2025 competitions. As the final whistle blew, all players held up a banner bidding farewell to the 2025 season. The banner read: “Blood was shed, sweat was poured, no regrets but some sorrow this year; Head held high, steps forward, next year we will fight again.”

From this season-ending message, it’s clear that despite winning the FA Cup, Guoan still feels some regret about 2025. At the same time, it expresses their refusal to give up and determination to start fresh next year.

Interim coach Ramiro gave a brief summary of the 2025 season for the team: “For me, winning the FA Cup is a good achievement. If we look at this success along with our league performance, we see that the club has great potential. Winning the cup shows we did well in some areas and deserve a thorough review. At the same time, we must acknowledge that we finished fourth in the league and still have a gap with the top teams. We must face this honestly. Also, if we want to progress, our international performances should be stronger, because the international stage has many excellent opponents.”

Regarding the FA Cup victory, Ramiro candidly said: “This championship is a great guiding light and a commendable achievement. Sometimes we achieve our goal of winning; other times we do not. We should always keep this as our target. Our club has a long history, and every year we must pursue victories and titles with ambition. We cannot relax; we must keep working hard.” As for his own future, Ramiro admitted, “It’s still uncertain what will happen.”

At the end of each season, player departures and arrivals are inevitable. After this match, several players will not be part of next season’s squad. Some players’ contracts have expired, including domestic players Zhang Yuan, Wang Ziming, Wang Gang, and foreign players Gu Jia and Ngadeu.

Before the match, Zhang Yuan publicly stated that this would be his farewell game at Guoan. In fact, prior to this, the club had been negotiating a contract renewal with him. When Zhang Yuan attended the season’s press conference, almost no one knew he had already decided to leave.

Additionally, longtime Guoan players Wang Ziming and Wang Gang are likely to join other teams, while foreign players Gu Jia and Ngadeu did not receive contract renewal offers.

Farewells are always emotional moments. Wang Gang, Wang Ziming, and Zhang Yuan shed tears during their final appearances. Club chairman Zhou Jinhui also lingered at the player tunnel after the match, embracing each departing player. For these players, helping Guoan win the FA Cup and leaving with the trophy may be the best way to say goodbye.