In an unforgettable night of football, Henan FC clinched a spot in the Chinese FA Cup semifinals after a nail-biting 8-7 penalty shootout victory over Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday. The quarterfinal clash kept fans on the edge of their seats as the teams battled to a 3-3 draw after extra time.
The action kicked off with Shanghai Shenhua drawing first blood in the 28th minute. Joao Teixeira expertly set up new signing Luis Asue, who calmly slotted home his second goal since joining the club. Henan FC, undeterred, leveled the score just five minutes later when Felippe Cardoso found the back of the net with a precise finish inside the box.
After the halftime break, Henan seized momentum. Frank Acheampong headed in a superb goal, putting the visitors ahead 2-1. But the drama was far from over. Shanghai’s substitute Wilson Manafa electrified the home crowd with a powerful volley in the 86th minute, sending the match into extra time at 2-2.
Extra time intensified the excitement. Shanghai Shenhua regained the lead when Teixeira’s shot hit the bar and Henan defender Lago Maidana’s failed clearance allowed Liu Chenyu to score, making it 3-2. However, Henan’s hero of the night, Cardoso, struck again, netting his second goal to bring the game back to 3-3 and forcing the decisive penalty shootout.
The shootout was a roller coaster. Cardoso, stepping up first, saw his shot saved by Shanghai’s goalkeeper Xu Jiamin. With the score tight, Teixeira had a chance to win it for Shanghai, but Henan’s keeper Xue Qinghao made a stunning save. The tension peaked in the tenth round when Henan’s Lu Yongtao converted, and Xue denied Liu’s attempt, sealing an epic 8-7 penalty victory for Henan FC.
“It was a tough match, but we showed our resilience,” said Xue Qinghao after the game. “We’re excited to move on to the semifinals.”
Henan FC will now face Chengdu Rongcheng in the semifinals. Chengdu advanced earlier that day with a 2-1 win over Qingdao Hainiu. Despite both teams being reduced to ten men after red cards to Luo Senwen and Chengdu’s De Erijiaduo, Chengdu’s Wei Shihao scored twice in the second half. Although Dider Lamkel Ze pulled one back for Qingdao, it wasn’t enough to prevent Chengdu from booking their spot in the next round.
The semifinals promise more high-octane action as Henan FC and Chengdu Rongcheng vie for a place in the Chinese FA Cup final. Fans around the country are eagerly awaiting what could be another unforgettable showdown.
