Renato Augusto of Beijing Guoan passes the ball during the AFC Champions League Group E match against Melbourne Victory.Credit:Getty Images
But the reality was that the Chinese side,who now have 12 points from their four games – courtesy of wins over Victory (twice),FC Seoul and Chiangrai United – never really had to get anywhere near top gear to take the points.
Victory can still qualify but their chances are mainly mathematical. They would need to beat FC Seoul and Thai team Chiangrai in their final two fixtures and hope other results go their way.
Beijing got the early breakthrough they would have wanted in the ninth minute when Spanish wide man Jonathan Viera finished with aplomb after Guoan's Brazilian playmaker Renato Augusto had started a move.
Viera was aided and abetted by the Victory defence which was caught ball watching as the final pass came through to him,and he took full advantage of the time he was given.
Brebner gave two of his new signings starting debuts – goalkeeper Max Crocombe and experienced English midfielder Jacob Butterfield.
He also rejigged his line up,playing Marco Rojas higher up the pitch and in the middle of the attack,with Ben Folami wider and Jake Brimmer pushing into more advanced positions than he had adopted in the first game so that he could support Rojas.
Callum McManaman had his shot blocked as Victory looked for an immediate response to Viera's early opener and then Beijing goalkeeper Hou Sen dived low to save from Rojas.