In a nail-biting showdown in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Beijing Guoan advanced to the FA Cup semifinals after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Qingdao West Coast! ⚽🔥
The match was full of twists. Guoan faced an early setback when their starting striker had to be substituted in the 21st minute due to injury. The first half was a tense battle with both teams missing key chances, setting the stage for an explosive second half.
Seven minutes into the second half, Wang Ziming capitalized on a defensive error by Qingdao to score an open-goal masterpiece. However, Qingdao quickly struck back with an equalizer from Aziz Yabuku following a defensive lapse, keeping the contest wide open.
Extra time raised the stakes even higher. Cao Yongjing’s powerful goal momentarily put Guoan ahead again, but Qingdao leveled the score just two minutes later, sending the game into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. With intense focus and steady nerves, Guoan converted all four of their initial penalties to secure a spot in the final four, setting up a compelling semifinal clash against Yunnan Yukun.
This thrilling encounter, which turned the tables on Guoan’s recent quarterfinal setbacks in 2023 and 2024, showcased passion, resilience, and a rollercoaster of emotions—just like a summer blockbuster that had fans on the edge of their seats!
Reference(s):
Beijing Guoan beat Qingdao West Coast for Chinese FA Cup semifinals
cgtn.com
