CFA Cup Roundup: Guizhou among five CSL clubs dumped out at the Third Round

Chinese Super League

The third round of the Chinese FA Cup went according to plan. Well, most of the time. We did have a couple of shocks with CSL teams Liaoning Whowin, Changchun Yatai, Yanbian Funde, Chongqing Lifan and Guizhou Zhicheng suffering surprise defeats.

Meixian Techand 1-2 Guangzhou Evergrande

Defending Champions Guangzhou Evergrande began their defence of the cup with a visit to third-division side Meixian Techand. Guangzhou took the liberty to rest star names like Paulinho, Ricardo Goulart and Zhi Zheng. But striker Gao Lin was named to the starting lineup and he justified his coach’s decision to play him by scoring at the stroke of half time. It was the killer blow for Meixian who conceded in the 2nd minute itself. Meixian did get a consolation goal in the second half and completed the scoreline.

Qingdao Huanghai 1-4 Guangzhou R&F

Guangzhou’s ‘other’ team got the perfect opportunity to bounce back from their shock reverse in the CSL at the weekend. Playing a full strength team, Guangzhou got off the perfect start (again) and inform Eran Zahavi scored in the 3rd minute itself. Making a comeback to the starting lineup, Renatinho doubled Guangzhou’s advantage midway through the first half. Yang Yun pulled one back for Qingdao and raised hopes of an unlikely comeback. But Guangzhou restored their two-goal cushion through, Chao Zeng six minutes later. Miao Tang was the last to trouble the scorers and made it 4-1 Guangzhou R&F.

Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 0-2 Shanghai SIPG

With both the top two teams coming out unscathed, Shanghai made sure all the teams in the Champions League places reserved a place in the 4th round draw. A brace from Elkeson ensured victory for Andre Villas-Boas’ team.

Beijing Renhe 0-5 Beijing Guoan

Tier 2 leaders, Beijing Renhe welcomed neighbours Beijing Guoan for a highly anticipated Capital Derby. But the match anti-climaxed as Guoan romped home to a 5-0 victory. Jonathan Soriano scored a superb hat-trick and Dabao Yu and Xizhe Zhang completed the emphatic scoreline.

Shanghai Shenxin 5-3 Guizhou Zhicheng

CSL side Guizhou Zhicheng crashed to a shock 5-3 defeat to China League One side Shanghai Shenxin. Guizhou’s defensive display stunned many. They overcame their problems up front but goals from Biro Biro and Cleiton Silva ensured Shanghai held a surprise lead at the half. Clearly frustrated, Guizhou had two players sent off in the space of 10 minutes. The first half scorers scored again and Jun Ji made it 5.

Lijiang Feihu 0-3 Shanghai Shenhua

Another top flight team playing a full strength side, Shanghai’s victory was all but confirmed when Fredy Guarin made it 1-0 midway through the first half. Obafemi Martins made it 2-0 and Jiangqing Mao made it 3-0 towards the end of the second period.

Jilin Changchun 1-4 Shandong Luneng

Another high-flying team in the CSL, Shandong Luneng made short work of their inferior opponents. Goals from Songyi Li and Wei Cui four minutes apart in the first half was the KO punch for a resolute Jilin side. A Yuang Cheng brace either side of Li Changliang’s goal secured victory for the CSL side.

Hangzhou Greentown 4-3 Liaoning Whowin

Another high-scoring cupset, Liaoning Whowin was surprised by a Hangzhou team effort. Everyone played their roles to perfection as a Zhang Yifeng hattrick and Luo Jing goal secured victory. To Hangzhou’s credit it was a superb comeback from a goal down at the breather.

Jiangxi Liansheng 0-1 Jiangsu Suning

An early goal from Ji Chen secured Jiangsu’s first domestic victory of the season.

Suzhou Dongwu 1-1 Yanbian Funde (3-2 on Penalties)

A 90th-minute equaliser for Yanbian Funde was in vain as Suzhou completed another shock in the Cup with a 3-2 win on penalties.

Shenzhen Kaisa 0-1 Heibei China

A goal in first time extra time by Xuesheng Dong helped Heibei book their place in the fourth round draw.

Hohhot 2-1 Changchun Yatai

A Zuo Yiteng own goal condemned Changchun Yatai to a 2-1 defeat at Hohhot. It was a comeback victory for the home side after they conceded a Bruno Rebolli goal in the 27th minute. M Mane equalised before half-time before the own goal knocked out struggling Changchun.

Shanghai Chengfa 0-2 Tianjin TEDA

Ten-man Tianjin TEDA were comfortable 2-0 winners over Shanghai Chengfa. Late goals from YongChi Lei and Zhao Yingjie secured the result.

Shanghai Sunfun 1-5 Henan Jianye

Braces from Zijie Chen and Abduwal Ablet and a late Jinghang Hu confirmed Henan’s place in the 4th round draw.

Heilongjiang Lava Spring 1-0 Chongqing Lifan

A Xiaoting Li goal condemned Chongqing to a 1-0 defeat.

Dalian Yifang 0-2 Tianjin Quanjian

A second half brace from Aluisio Moraes secured Tianjin’s place in the next round.