The first legs of the Quarter-finals of the Chinese FA Cup 2017 produced very surprising results.
GUANGZHOU R&F 4-2 GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE
Defending Champions suffered a 4-2 reverse in the Canton Derby against Guangzhou R&F. Braces from Eran Zahavi helped R&F put one foot into the semi-finals. R&F opened the scoring in the first minute through Renatinho inside the first ten minutes. Evergrande equalised but a quick fire double from Zahavi either side of the half time interval saw R&F enjoy a commanding 3-1 lead. Renatinho scored his second of the night to extend his side’s lead to three goals. The joy was cut short marginally after Evergrande pulled one back through Alan late on. Evergrande can be forgiven for not putting in ‘100%’ as they have the season defining League fixture against Shanghai SIPG to look ahead to. Evergrande still have a fighting chance and with the squad that they have a turnaround cannot be ruled out.
TIANJIN QUANJIAN 3-0 SHANGHAI SIPG
Tianjin Quanjian pulled off another surprise this time comprehensively beating Shanghai SIPG 3-0. Wang Xiaolong opened the scoring in the 37th minute for Tianjin. Shanghai never really looked like troubling the Tianjin defence and Alexandre Pato made the result and possibly the tie secure with a late brace in the second half. Tianjin have now beaten both Evergrande and SIPG in just over a week’s time and are full of confidence. Shanghai as mentioned above face Evergrande in the league this week. The tie looks over but an early goal for Shanghai will set up a blockbuster second leg.
SHANDONG LUNENG 1-3 SHANGHAI SHENHUA
Shanghai Shenhua beat Shandong Luneng 3-1 away to all but guarantee their place in the Semi-Final draw. A brace from Obafemi Martins in the first half saw Shanghai end the first period with a two-goal advantage. Shandong managed to cut the deficit by half with a goal from Junmin Hao, but Jianqing Mao restored the advantage barely five minutes later for Shenhua. Shandong’s goal was incidentally the first goal conceded by Shanghai against their opponents since September 2015.
JIANGSU SUNING 2-2 SHANGHAI SHENXIN
The last tie saw League strugglers Jiangsu Suning take on China League One side Shanghai Shenxin. Jiangsu took the lead through a penalty from Moukandjo in the first half but were pegged back by through Bai Tianci equaliser in the second period. Ramires thought he had won it for his side when he scored 10 minutes from time but Cleiton Silva brought Shanghai level for the second time with three minutes of the regulation period left. It is all to play for in the second leg.
The second legs of all fixtures will take place on August 1st, 2nd and 3rd.