Dalian Zhiqing and Beijing Guoan played out a 1-1 draw in the Chinese Super League on Thursday evening. The match took place at Dalian Suoyuan Stadium, where both sides entered with identical points totals but different positions in the table. By then, the expectation was clear — two teams level on 37 points, separated only by goal difference.
And here's the thing about the opening exchanges. F. Acheampong thought he had given Dalian the lead in the fifteenth minute, but the referee cancelled the goal for offside. The replay showed the academy graduate had caught the line, but the decision stood. Beijing worked a short corner after the restart and went on to take their advantage.
Zhang Yuning put the visitors ahead in the forty-third minute, capitalising on a moment of space in the penalty area. Dalian responded immediately after the break, with Yang Mingrui coming on in the forty-sixth minute before P. Delgado scored in the forty-eighth. To be fair, the equaliser came from a quick transition that Beijing had not tracked properly.
What changed the complexion of the game came late on. Dawhan received a red card in the ninety-eighth minute after picking up a second booking. Beijing had already made three substitutions in the seventy-third minute, bringing on Dawhan, Yang Liyu and Cao Yongjing in one sweep. The academy graduate marked his first start with a goal, but the red card meant they finished the match with ten men.
The statistics tell a different story from the scoreline. Dalian enjoyed 55 per cent possession and completed 250 passes, but managed only two shots on target from eight attempts inside the penalty area. Beijing registered three shots on target from nine attempts, with one big chance created. Both sides won 24 aerial duels each, which suggested a physical contest.
The draw leaves both teams on 37 points after 25 games. Dalian remain fourth while Beijing hold second place, though the gap between them has narrowed. For hosts who had won two of their last five, the point was a relief. For visitors who had scored 16 goals across their previous five matches, the draw brought them together early in the closing stages of the season.