Beijing Guoan may have lost the first leg of their Chinese FA Cup fifth-round tie 2-1 to Guangzhou Evergrande, but an away goal gives them a fighting chance in the second leg. As they prepare to host Evergrande at home, Guoan have been afforded a rare advantage—ten full days of rest before this pivotal encounter.

This extended break has allowed the team to recover both physically and mentally. Several players have returned from minor injuries: defender Kliment, previously dealing with a slight thigh strain, is now fully fit, while goalkeeper Yang Zhi, who suffered a knock in the match against Hebei China Fortune, is also ready for selection. From a fitness standpoint, Guoan are in good shape. However, there’s a flip side—extended rest can sometimes dull competitive sharpness and disrupt match rhythm.

Meanwhile, Evergrande played a league match in the middle of the previous week, giving them about seven days between fixtures. From a preparation rhythm perspective, it’s debatable whether Guoan truly hold an edge. Evergrande, managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, also have the advantage of knowing that even a draw in Beijing will see them through to the next round. That may prompt them to adopt a more conservative strategy.

Guoan, however, are not leaving anything to chance. “We need to score, and the earlier the better,” stated a team insider. While Evergrande’s midfield and attack are powerful and well-structured, their defense—particularly the space behind both fullbacks—remains vulnerable. Guoan aim to exploit these gaps but must also fix their own defensive weaknesses. In the first leg, it was a breakdown on the left flank that allowed Gao Lin to score twice. If Guoan want to turn things around at home, they’ll need to shore up their backline.

With little hope remaining in the league—where they still have three tough make-up matches against Evergrande, Yanbian, and Liaoning—Guoan see the FA Cup as their only path to securing a spot in the AFC Champions League. This match has been dubbed by club management as “the most important game of the season,” and a home win would not only boost morale but also bring in a significant bonus.

The current squad is healthy and unified, and with home-field advantage, Guoan believe they have a real shot at toppling Evergrande. Much like the fierce underdog battles often seen in Bangladesh Cricket, this fixture carries the weight of redemption, pride, and opportunity. As the saying goes, it’s not over until the final whistle blows.