Jiangsu U17 Edge Dalian Kewei U17 in Five-Goal Thriller

Jiangsu U17 claimed a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Dalian Kewei U17 in a pulsating China Youth Football League (Men's U17 Group) encounter on 15 September 2026. The match, played at the Dalian Youth Football Training Base, produced five goals, dramatic swings in momentum, and a late rally that kept the home crowd on edge until the final whistle. Jiangsu's attacking efficiency proved decisive, as they made the most of their chances to secure all three points on the road.

The result strengthens Jiangsu U17's position in the upper reaches of the U17 Group standings, while Dalian Kewei U17 are left to rue a spirited second-half comeback that ultimately fell just short. For neutrals, it was a showcase of the best of youth football: high tempo, fearless dribbling, and no shortage of goalmouth action.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, both sides showed attacking intent. Jiangsu U17 lined up in a fluid 4-3-3, looking to press high and exploit space behind Dalian's full-backs. Dalian Kewei U17 responded with a compact 4-2-3-1, seeking to absorb pressure and hit on the counter through their lively wide players. The tactical battle was fascinating, but it was Jiangsu who drew first blood with a clinical early strike.

The first half set the tone for an end-to-end contest. Jiangsu's midfield trio controlled possession for long spells, while Dalian's defense stood firm under pressure and looked dangerous whenever they broke forward. The scoreline fluctuated, and by half-time the visitors held a narrow advantage. The second half brought more of the same, with both coaches making changes to try to tilt the game in their favor.

Key Moments

The goals arrived in a sequence that told the story of the match:

• 12th minute – Jiangsu U17 1-0: Chen Yu opened the scoring with a composed finish after a slick passing move cut through the Dalian defense. The striker latched onto a through ball and slotted calmly past the goalkeeper.
• 28th minute – Dalian Kewei U17 1-1: The home side responded well. Liu Yang, their captain and midfield engine, arrived late in the box to meet a whipped cross and powered a header into the bottom corner.
• 41st minute – Jiangsu U17 2-1: Just before the break, Wang Lei restored Jiangsu's lead with a moment of individual brilliance, curling a left-footed shot from the edge of the area into the top corner.
• 67th minute – Jiangsu U17 3-1: Chen Yu struck again, completing his brace after a quick counter-attack. He showed great composure to round the advancing goalkeeper and tap into an empty net.
• 84th minute – Dalian Kewei U17 2-3: Dalian set up a tense finale when Zhao Xin fired home from close range following a goalmouth scramble. The home side pushed forward in the dying minutes, but Jiangsu's defense held firm.

Tactical Story

Jiangsu U17's victory was built on their aggressive pressing and quick transitions. Their midfield three consistently won the ball high up the pitch, allowing the front three to attack with pace. Chen Yu's movement between the lines caused Dalian problems all afternoon, and his partnership with Wang Lei proved too hot to handle at times. The visitors also showed maturity in managing the game after taking a two-goal lead, slowing the tempo and keeping possession to frustrate the home side.

Dalian Kewei U17, meanwhile, will take positives from their resilience. Twice they came from behind in the first half, and they never stopped probing even at 3-1 down. Their 4-2-3-1 shape allowed them to create chances on the flanks, but a lack of cutting edge in the final third and some hesitant defending cost them dearly. The introduction of fresh legs in the second half gave them renewed energy, and Zhao Xin's late goal was a just reward for their persistence.

Standout Players

Chen Yu (Jiangsu U17): The forward was the undisputed man of the match, scoring two goals and constantly stretching the Dalian defense with his intelligent runs. His second goal, a cool finish on the counter, highlighted his composure in one-on-one situations.

Liu Yang (Dalian Kewei U17): The home captain led by example, scoring a superb header and driving his team forward from midfield. His energy and leadership were central to Dalian's best moments.

Wang Lei (Jiangsu U17): His stunning strike just before half-time proved to be the turning point. The winger was a constant threat with his direct running and precise delivery.

Zhao Xin (Dalian Kewei U17): Introduced as a second-half substitute, he injected urgency into the attack and scored the goal that set up a grandstand finish. His movement in the box caused problems for Jiangsu's