The Chinese FA Cup came close to giving us two Cupsets but it was plain sailing for the top flight teams. The seven teams were joined by League One side Shanghai Shenxin.
Suzhou Dongwu 1(15)-(16)1 Shanghai SIPG
The biggest upset of the day was averted by second placed side Shanghai SIPG. SIPG found themselves trailing League Two side Suzhou Dongwu until stoppage time but Lei Wu scored the equaliser four minutes into extra time to break Suzhou’s hearts. It was a spirited performances from the underdogs who were reduced to 10 men for the last ten minutes or so. Shanghai eventually edged a tense and dramatic match 15-14 on penalties. Yes you read that correct!
Hohhot 0(3)-(5)0 Guangzhou R&F
Guangzhou R&F kept racking up the draws this time, they shared the spoils with Hohhot from the China League One. It was a goalless draw. The tie was decided on penalties with Guangzhou converting all of theirs while Hohhot bottled it and missed two. Guangzhou escaped into the Quarter-Finals after winning 5-3 on penalties.
Jiangsu Suning 1-0 Henan Jianye
Strugglers Jiangsu Suning and Henan Jianye went head to head and Fabio Capello got his first victory in China. A second half strike from Xi Wu was enough to send Suning into the draw for the Quarters at Henan’s expense. Jiangsu will be hoping to kick on from here and salvage their disappointing season.
Shanghai Shenhua 1-0 Beijing Guoan
Shanghai Shenhua meanwhile handed Roger Schmidt his first defeat in China. Shanghai prevailed 1-0 in the China Derby. Shenhua needed a 55th minute strike from Freddy Guarin to seal victory. Beijing took a step backwards after their commanding victory at the weekend and Schmidt has things to consider ahead of their next match.
Guangzhou Evergrande 1-0 Heibei China
Guangzhou Evergrande show no signs of stopping or being stopped. Third place Heibei China could not stop The Juggernaut from marching on in their quest for the Treble. Guangzhou took advantage of the numerical disparity and made their extra man count in the second half. A goal from Long Zheng secured victory for Scolari’s men.
Tianjin Teda 0-1 Shandong Luneng
Shandong Luneng beat Tianjin TEDA 1-0 to march into the Quarter-Final draw. Diego Tardelli found the back of the net once again and continued his good form.
Heilongjiang Lava Spring 1-2 Tianjin Quanjian
10 men Tianjin Quanjian secured a comfortable 2-1 victory at Heilongjiang Lava Spring’s expense. Goals from Yuanjie Su and Yongpo Wang all but secured victory. Pan Yuchen scored a consolation goal in extra time for the underdogs.
Hangzhou Greentown 1(5)-(6)1 Shanghai Shenxin
Shanghai Shenxin progressed into the Quarter-Finals the hard way. Shanghai found themselves a goal down at half time but regrouped and equalized 6 minutes from time. Shanghai prevailed 6-5 on penalties.