In a match that had fans on the edge of their seats, Henan FC pulled off a dramatic win in the Chinese FA Cup quarterfinals with an 8-7 penalty shootout victory over Shanghai Shenhua. The encounter was a roller coaster: after a 3-3 stalemate following extra time, every kick mattered! ⚽️
The action kicked off when Shanghai surged ahead in the 28th minute. New signing Luis Asue found the back of the net with a slick setup from Joao Teixeira. But Henan quickly answered back—Felippe Cardoso leveled things up just five minutes later. As the first half wrapped, both teams were battling hard.
Post-break, Henan gained a promising lead through Frank Acheampong's header. Just when it seemed the game was settling, substitute Wilson Manafa powered a volley to rescue Shanghai in the 86th minute, pushing the game into extra time. The tension spiked when a ricochet off the bar led to a fleeting lead for Shenhua, only for Cardoso to equalize once again, ensuring the game would be decided by penalties.
The shootout was nothing short of nerve-wracking. Cardoso’s opener was saved by Shenhua keeper Xu Jiamin, and Teixeira’s subsequent effort was brilliantly denied by Henan’s goalkeeper Xue Qinghao. The decisive moment came in the tenth round when Henan midfielder Lu Yongtao stepped up to clinch the win as Xue stymied Liu's attempt. What a ride! 😱🔥
Having secured their place in the semis, Henan FC now prepares to face Chengdu Rongcheng. In a parallel quarterfinal clash, Chengdu Rongcheng edged out Qingdao Hainiu 2-1 amidst its own dramatic twists, with red cards and fast-paced goal action marking the match.
This latest chapter in the Chinese FA Cup showcases the thrilling spirit of football, where every moment counts. Stay tuned as these teams continue to light up the pitch, promising more heart-stopping action ahead!
Reference(s):
Henan triumph in nail-biting penalty shootout to reach FA Cup semis
cgtn.com
