Lanzhou Longyuan Athletic Hold Tianjin Jinmen Tiger to 1–1 Draw in FA Cup

Lanzhou Longyuan Athletic produced a resilient performance to earn a 1–1 draw against Chinese Super League side Tianjin Jinmen Tiger in the Chinese FA Cup on June 19, 2026. The match at Lanzhou Stadium saw the underdogs take a shock lead before the top-flight visitors fought back to level.

Match Overview

Kicking off at 19:30 in front of a raucous home crowd, Lanzhou Longyuan Athletic, a club from the second division, showed no fear against their more illustrious opponents. Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, fielding a mix of regulars and rotation players, struggled to impose their technical superiority in the first half. The second half saw the game open up, with both sides committing men forward.

Key Moments

• 32nd Minute – Lanzhou Strike First: A long ball over the top caught the Tianjin defense napping. Striker Ma Jian controlled superbly and fired a low shot past Tianjin goalkeeper Liu Yang. The stadium erupted in celebration.
• 55th Minute – Tianjin Equalizes: The visitors responded with pressure. Midfielder Wang Jie curled a free kick over the wall and into the top corner, giving the Lanzhou keeper no chance. It was a moment of individual brilliance.
• 70th Minute – Red Card Drama: Lanzhou’s left-back, Zhang Wei, was sent off for a second yellow card after a rash challenge on Tianjin winger Li Hao. Despite being a man down, the home side defended valiantly.
• Final Stages: Tianjin pressed hard but could not find a winner. Lanzhou’s goalkeeper, Sun Hao, made two excellent saves in the 80th and 88th minutes to preserve the draw.

Tactical Story

Lanzhou Longyuan Athletic set up in a deep 5-4-1 formation, inviting pressure and looking to hit on the counter. Tianjin Jinmen Tiger dominated possession (68%) but struggled to break down a disciplined defense. The sending off forced Lanzhou into an even more defensive shell, but their organization and spirit held firm.

Standout Players

• Ma Jian (Lanzhou – Striker): Scored the opening goal with a composed finish and worked tirelessly as a lone striker, holding up the ball and winning fouls.
• Sun Hao (Lanzhou – Goalkeeper): Made crucial saves in the second half, earning his team a valuable result. His positioning and reflexes were outstanding.
• Wang Jie (Tianjin – Midfielder): Provided the equalizer with a stunning free kick and was the visitors’ most creative player throughout.

Season Impact

In the Chinese FA Cup, this draw gives Lanzhou Longyuan Athletic a massive boost. They will travel to Tianjin for the second leg with a result to defend, while Tianjin Jinmen Tiger will be disappointed not to have won against ten men. The tie remains very much alive, and the lower-league side has proven they can compete with the best.

The second leg will be a test of Lanzhou’s resilience away from home. For now, they have announced themselves as giant-killers in this year’s competition.