The former Newcastle Jets forward, who still reserves some hope of making Pim Verbeek's 23-man World Cup squad, scored his second goal in this year's competition on 37 minutes in snowy conditions in Kawasaki.

Griffiths beat Hiroki Ito to the ball after it had fell kindly towards goal, with the Aussie taking a touch before a neat finish to make it 1-0.

The hosts hit back almost immediately when Kosuke Kikuchi headed in from a corner, but Beijing got back in control in the second-half.

On 65 minutes, after Griffiths had played in Otto, the Brazilian cut the ball back for Wang Changqing to produce a precise finish to restore Guoan's lead.

And late in the contest, after a long clearance by the Beijing goalkeeper, Changqing completed his double with a perfectly weighted lob to seal a memorable win for the Chinese champions.

Elsewhere, Sasa Ognenovski scored a scrambled goal from close-range in Seongnam Ilhwa's 2-0 win at Melbourne Victory in Group E of the AFC Champions League.

In Group A, Michael Beauchamp was an unused substitute for UAE outfit Al-Jazira as they drew 0-0 at Esteghlal.

In England's Championship overnight, Nick Carle's clash with former club Bristol City wasn't a successful one, as Crystal Palace lost 1-0 at home to the Robins.

Carle did start the game for the Eagles but was replaced on 81 minutes.

In England's League One, Patrick Kisnorbo put in a full shift in defence for Leeds United as they returned to winning ways emphatically with a 4-1 win at Gareth Edds' Tranmere.

Edds started the game for Rovers and played 76 minutes before being replaced, while Neil Kilkenny was an unused sub for the Whites, with Shane Lowry still out with a knee injury.

In Scotland's Premier League, Danny Invincibile was a 65th minute sub as Kilmarnock lost 2-0 at home to leaders Rangers.

In Scotland's Division One, Simon Storey put in a full shift while Frankie Lagana was a 72nd minute substitute as Airdrie United drew 1-1 with Dunfermline.