Griffiths' Guoan, who were crowned Chinese champions last season, desperately needed the victory in order to stay in touch with the leaders.

And the former Newcastle Jets man, who was overlooked for the Socceroos 2010 World Cup squad, was busy throughout, never moreso than on 39 minutes when he linked up well with teammate Walter Martinez.

Ryan Griffiths was involved in the lead-up play, before Joel Griffiths and Martinez combined with the Aussie providing a neat backheel for the Honduran to lash into the back of the net for the game's only goal.

Joel Griffiths played out the contest, while brother Ryan was replaced on 62 minutes.

The result leaves Beijing in fifth, six points behind leaders Shandong Luneng.

Elsewhere in the CSL, Chris Coyne started but was substituted at half-time as Liaoning Whowin lost 2-1 to Shenzhen Ruby.

The winning goal in the contest came on 80 minutes, from Shenzhen's new All Whites signing Chris Killen.

The New Zealand international, on as a second-half sub, showed lovely control with his chest before producing a beautiful volleyed finish for the winner.

In Japan's J.League, Socceroo Joshua Kennedy played a full game as Nagoya Grampus maintained touch with the leaders following a 2-1 victory over Shonan Bellmare.

After Kennedy had spurned an awkward, split-second, close-range opportunity, Nagoya took the lead on 17 minutes through Marcus Tulio Tanaka after a goalmouth scramble.

In the second-half, Kennedy worked a nice one-two with Mu Kanazaki, before the midfielder pulled his shot wide from outside the box.

But Colombian midfielder Danilson Cordoba doubled Nagoya's advantage on 68 minutes with a powerful long-range effort, before Shonan dragged a consolation back through Yutaka Tuhara.

Nagoya remain third but close the gap to two points on leaders Kashima Antlers, who drew 2-2 at home to midtable Albirex Niigata.

Elsewhere in the J.League, promising Aussie defender Matthew Spiranovic started again for Urawa Reds - and got through a full shift this time - as they returned to winning ways with a 4-0 triumph at Kyoto Sanga.

The result, which is Urawa's first win in the J.League since early May, ends their poor recent run and keeps them in sixth on the table.

In Singapore's S-League, Australian midfielder Goran Subara played a full game as Gombak United lost 2-0 to new league leaders Tampines Rovers.