An early Jonathan Viera goal was enough to ensure that Chinese Super League title hopefuls Beijing Guoan kept up the pace in the belated domestic campaign with a win over Wuhan Zall. The Brazilian scored after just three minutes behind closed doors in a humid Suzhou, volleying home from a Wang Gang cross. That early strike proved the difference in a game in which Bruno Genesio’s team dominated possession and should have scored again through Cedric Bakambu. South Korean defender Kim Min-jae returned to the Beijing line-up amid ongoing transfer speculation linking him with a move to English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, where he would link up with international teammate Son Heung-min. Kim played 78 minutes on his return to action, having arrived back later to the Beijing camp than the club’s other foreigners. The Beijingers are now two wins from two and sit top of the CSL’s group B as they look for a first title since 2009. Elsewhere it was honours even between newcomers Shijiazhuang Everbright and Qingdao Huanghai who played out a 2-2 draw in Dalian. The Qingdao side won the China League One title last season but changes in recent months saw them lose Yaya Toure and then coach Juanma Lillo. They announced Pep Machin as Lillo’s replacement last week but he has since done a U-turn and is expected to stay in Spain. The managerless newcomers have Romain Alessandrini to thank for their first point in the top flight as the French midfielder twice equalised on Saturday, first after a goal by Oscar Maritu and then Stoppila Sunzu – with both Shijiazhuang goals coming from corners. Shijiazhuang, coached by Iranian-American Afshin Ghotbi, remain unbeaten in group B. Friday’s games saw two red cards, one in each match, and deadlock in both matches. Shandong Luneng, who won their opening game thanks to a Marouane Fellaini hat-trick, played out a 0-0 draw with Jiangsu Suning, who kicked the season off with a dramatic 4-3 comeback win. The goalless game saw Shandong’s Tamas Kadar sent off after 70 minutes. Jiangsu had the better of the chances but could not record a second win to keep the pressure on group A leaders and reigning CSL champions Guangzhou Evergrande. Rafael Benitez’s Dalian Pro, the only team playing this new format in their hometown, also had to settle for a share of the spoils against Henan Jianye. It was a tale of two Swedes as they took the lead through new signing Sam Larsson early in the second half but fellow new arrival Marcus Danielson was sent off with barely five minutes to go after fouling Ivo in the box. Henan Jianye’s Henrique Dourado subsequently levelled from the spot before having a late winner ruled out by VAR. This second round of games concludes on Sunday with Shanghai SIPG against Hebei China Fortune and Chongqing Lifan taking on Tianjin Teda.