The first round of the Chinese Football League featured tough competition, despite the fact that no relegations are being imposed on the 14 clubs this season.

On their home turf - the Beijing Workers' Stadium - Beijing Guo'an rolled past Qingdao Pijiu with one decisive goal from the national skipper Shao Jiayi seconds before the end of the first half.

After squandering several opportunities, Beijing finally found the net at 45 minutes. Qingdao was not given the chance to restore parity during the second half.

Shao, favourite of national boss Bora Milutinovic, said after the victory that he was amazed by the quality of his colleagues' passing and attacking.

He admitted some fatigue after a series of warm-ups with the national squad, but expressed confidence in restoring harmony in terms of strategies and tactics with his club members.

In Sunday's(March 11) other matches, reigning champions Dalian Shide edged past Shenyang Haishi 1-0, while Shanghai Shenhua routed Shenzhen Kejian 3-1, Liaoning Fushun crushed Chongqing Lifan 1-0, Shaanxi Guoli beat Shandong Luneng 1-0 and Sichuan drew Bayi 1-1.

(People's Daily 03/12/01)