The 2026 Chinese FA Cup served up a classic cup tie as Beijing Guoan edged past second-tier side Dalian Kewei 2-1 at the Dalian Sports Centre Stadium on July 21. Despite a spirited performance from the home side, Guoan’s superior quality and clinical finishing in the final third proved decisive, booking their place in the next round of China’s premier knockout competition.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Beijing Guoan asserted their dominance in possession and territory. The visitors controlled the midfield through experienced campaigners, while Dalian Kewei relied on quick transitions and set-piece opportunities. The hosts, competing in the China League One, showed no fear and matched Guoan’s intensity for long stretches. However, a lapse in concentration just before half-time allowed the Beijing side to break the deadlock, and despite a second-half fightback from Kewei, Guoan’s second goal proved too steep a mountain to climb.

Key Moments

• 40th minute – Beijing Guoan opener: A swift counter-attack caught Dalian Kewei’s defense out of shape. A precise through ball split the centre-backs, and the advancing striker slotted calmly past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
• 58th minute – Dalian Kewei equalizer: The home side earned a free-kick wide on the left. The delivery was floated into the box, and a towering header from a central defender bounced once before nestling into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted as the score became 1-1.
• 73rd minute – Beijing Guoan winner: A clever piece of interplay on the edge of the box freed up space for a Guoan midfielder. He unleashed a low, driven shot from 18 yards that took a slight deflection off a defender, wrong-footing the Kewei custodian and restoring the lead.

Tactical Story

Beijing Guoan employed a patient build-up, looking to stretch Dalian Kewei’s compact 4-4-2 defensive block. Their full-backs pushed high to create overloads in wide areas, while central midfielders made late runs into the box. Dalian Kewei, conversely, sat deep and looked to break with pace, often targeting the space behind Guoan’s advanced full-backs. The equalizing goal came from a set piece, a clear strength of the home side. But Guoan’s ability to adjust their attacking shape after the equalizer, pushing an extra attacker forward, ultimately tilted the balance.

Standout Players

Beijing Guoan’s match-winner was their creative midfielder, who not only scored the decisive goal but also dictated the tempo with his passing range. The Dalian Kewei goalkeeper was kept busy throughout, making several smart saves to keep his team in the contest. For the hosts, the centre-back who scored the equalizer also made a series of vital interceptions, leading the defensive resistance.

Impact on the Season

For Beijing Guoan, this victory extends their FA Cup run and maintains momentum as they push for silverware on multiple fronts. The match exposed some defensive frailties but also showcased their attacking depth. For Dalian Kewei—a club with rich history in Chinese football—the performance was a source of pride despite the defeat. Taking a top-flight side to the wire will fuel belief as they chase promotion from League One.