For the vast number of Chinese pupils, Thursday marked the final day of their carefree summer break, and also presented one last shot at catching up on holiday homework before the new semester begins. Each passing second of this day could be felt simultaneously fleeting yet seemingly drawn-out.

Likewise, for the legions of Beijing Guoan supporters, Thursday evoked a paradoxical blend of nerves, exhilaration and a touch of overwhelming emotion. Security measures were amplified with heightened vigilance implemented at the iconic Workers' Stadium, training grounds and the perimeter around the area.

An undeniable sense of restless tension mingled with an air of eager anticipation, as reporters and camera crews from all over China converged upon the capital to provide live coverage of Beijing's quarterfinal showdown with Shandong Taishan in the Chinese FA Cup.

This was not your average blockbuster clash. Beijing and Shandong are the two most successful teams in the storied history of the tournament. Taishan's record of eight triumphs puts them in a league of their own, closely pursued by Guoan with four titles under their belt.

To elevate the magnitude of this encounter, with Beijing's aspirations for the Chinese super League title all but extinguished, the FA Cup represented their only realistic opportunity to claim a coveted piece of silverware this season. "It will be a do-or-die game for us, and we're hungry to win," Beijing coach Ricardo Soares said before kickoff.

Little wonder then that this highly anticipated face-off captured the collective imagination of the Beijing aficionados, dominating their conversations and thoughts for weeks on end.

Although the match fell on a weekday night and ticket prices saw a slight uptick compared to previous fixtures, little could dampen the fervor of the faithful. In fact, tickets were swiftly snapped up, and to cater to the soaring demand, several thousand seats were added to the southeast corner of the stadium, magnifying its capacity to over 52,000.

The unflinching support of a sell-out crowd is an absolute necessity for the hosts at this juncture. Over the course of their last eight meetings in the FA Cup, Beijing have been eliminated by Shandong on six occasions, putting them at a clear psychological disadvantage. 

In their most recent league encounter, Beijing suffered a humiliating 3-0 hammering away from home, prompting captain Wang Gang to openly declared, "I feel ashamed for my own performance and that of our players."

The capital powerhouse certainly had a point to prove. To their credit, they have been on an upward trajectory since Soares took over in June and entered the tie having triumphed in four of their previous five matches. For neutral fans, the timely recovery of Beijing's form is undoubtedly a significant boon.

Not every high-stakes battle manages to live up to the lofty expectations set upon it, but Beijing vs. Shandong transcended the hype. This epic duel showcased an awe-inspiring display of high-speed football, seamlessly blending technical finesse and work ethic. All this unfolded against a backdrop of resounding cheers and stirring energy, adding an extra layer of intensity to the already captivating spectacle.

Nearly the entirety of the regulation time was played with a relentless pace, and it came as no surprise that Chen Pu, the standout Chinese striker at the moment, gave Shandong a dream start, scoring his seventh goal this season, when he reacted fastest to slot home the rebound after Zheng Zheng's stunning free kick struck the post just 10 minutes in.

Earlier this campaign, Beijing's mental fortitude had been perceived as embarrassingly fragile. But, in this instance, they demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience by maintaining composure in the face of a formidable Shandong side that has consistently proven to be their nemesis in recent years.

Every act of Beijing resistance drew raucous cheers. Supporters roared with great pleasure as Michael Ngadeu elegantly dispossessed Chen. They screamed Chi Zhongguo on as he made a recovery run and chased after Shi Ke, forcing a rushed clearance.

Shandong were becoming increasingly flustered as Beijing created several openings in quick succession. And the deserved equalizer eventually came when South Korean winger Kang Sang-woo, receiving a sumptuous pass from Zhang Xizhe, broke clear on the counter-attack and smartly fired past goalkeeper Wang Dalei on 18 minutes.

Kang's goal sparked over-exuberant celebrations from Soares who darted off his seat and punched the air right in front of the Shandong bench. Some furious Shandong players and members of the coaching staff had to be restrained as they tried to confront the Beijing coach, before the referee Ma Ning stepped in to help calm tempers.

Soares' opposite number, an enraged Choi Kang-hee, told reporters afterwards that he regarded the touchline antics as falling well below the standard expected of a professional. 

"I've been in this profession for over 30 years and it's the first time I've seen an opposing coach run up to our dugout to celebrate," observed the veteran tactician. "I don't understand what he was thinking, and nobody intervened to stop him. Our opponents are colleagues, not enemies. We should respect each other because without mutual respect, the very essence of sportsmanship becomes meaningless."

For those frantic, fraught and frenzied minutes it felt like anything was possible, but in a scrappy quarterfinal that brimmed with extremely aggressive tackles, aerial duels and cynical fouls, both goalkeepers excelled. Moreover, Kang and Fabio Abreu, having caused Shandong so many headaches in the first half, found themselves subdued and staved of service and extra-time brought more of the same as the match headed for the penalty shootout.

At the very end and five rounds into the penalties, it came down to former Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini to score the decisive spot-kick and send Shandong into the semifinals. 

Beijing were broken, nobody more so than Kang who had blasted the previous kick over the crossbar – the only miss of the nerve‑shredding shootout. 

The indefatigable winger, who enjoyed an exceptional game, did not deserve this. Beijing players took turns to console a tearful Kang after his penalty miss. This poignant moment tugged at the heartstrings, especially considering the South Korean's invaluable contribution to the team's recent progress.

Amidst the agony and disappointment felt by the devoted Beijing fans, the resonant chants of Kang's name filled the air, serving as a testament to their unwavering support. Despite their team's valiant efforts to go toe-to-toe with Shandong throughout a riveting showpiece, the bitter truth remains that such a cruel defeat offers little solace in the face of their profound sorrow.