Superb Bakambu powers Beijing to first win

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Cédric Bakambu was the star of the night, powering Beijing FC to a 3-1 win over Buriram United with a hat-trick to secure the Chinese side's first win in Group G of the 2019 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

With a perfect four wins from four in the Chinese Super League, the Chinese club were looking to bring their domestic form onto the Continental stage and they made the perfect start when Bakambu opened the scoring in just the second minute after turning in a low cross from Li Lei.

The home side looked to respond and had a flurry of chances midway through the first half with Pedro Junior, Supachai Jaided and Supachok Sarachart all seeing their efforts denied by a determined Beijing defence.

Roger Schmidt's side made them pay just before the half hour mark when Bakambu scored his second in similar style to his first, with a low cross from the left, this time by Renato Augusto, then turned home to make it 2-0 to the visitors before half-time.

The Democratic Republic of Congo striker secured his hat-trick nine minutes into the second half when he was in the right spot at the right time to bundle the ball home after Siwarak Tedsungnoen fumbled Wang Gang's effort on goal. 

Brazilian Pedro Junior continued to work hard for the home side and came close to pulling a goal back for the Thai side, but his powerful effort from the edge of the area was saved by Zou Dehai at the second attempt.

Bakambu should've had his fourth of the evening on 77 minutes, but having been found on his own at the back post by Augusto's cross, he somehow managed to put his effort wide. 

Bozidar Bandovic's side managed to pull a goal back two minutes later as two second-half substitutes, Luong Xuan Truong and 16-year-old Suphanat Mueanta, combined beautifully to unlock the Beijing defence.

The win lifts Beijing into third place above Buriram ahead of the return leg in the Chinese capital in two weeks.

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