Henan triumph in nail-biting penalty shootout to reach FA Cup semis

In a thrilling quarterfinal clash of the Chinese FA Cup on Wednesday, Henan FC secured their place in the semifinals after a dramatic penalty shootout against Shanghai Shenhua, following a roller coaster encounter that ended 3-3 after extra time.

The match began with Shanghai taking the lead in the 28th minute, as Joao Teixeira set up new signing Luis Asue, who deftly slotted the ball into the net, marking his second goal since joining the club. However, Henan quickly responded, leveling the score just five minutes later through a well-placed finish by Felippe Cardoso inside the box.

After the halftime break, Henan shifted momentum with Frank Acheampong heading home to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. Yet, the drama escalated when substitute Wilson Manafa rescued Shenhua with a powerful volley in the 86th minute, forcing the match into extra time at 2-2.

As tension mounted, Shenhua took the lead again when Teixeira's shot ricocheted off the bar, and Henan defender Lago Maidana failed to clear, allowing Liu Chenyu to pounce and put the hosts ahead 3-2. But Henan's Cardoso refused to be outdone, scoring his second of the night to bring the match back to parity and send it to penalties.

In the shootout, Cardoso stepped up first but saw his shot saved by Shenhua keeper Xu Jiamin. Teixeira then had the chance to seal victory for Shenhua, but Henan's goalkeeper Xue Qinghao made a stunning save. As the tension heightened, it was the tenth round that proved decisive: Henan midfielder Lu Yongtao converted, while Xue brilliantly thwarted Liu's attempt, securing an 8-7 victory on penalties for Henan FC.

They will now face Chengdu Rongcheng in the semifinals.

In another quarterfinal showdown, hosts Qingdao Hainiu found themselves down to ten men when Luo Senwen was sent off for a tackle on Wei Shihao in the 30th minute. However, Chengdu faced a setback as their forward De Erijiaduo received a red card for an elbow to an opponent just before the break.

In the 51st minute, Chengdu broke the deadlock as Wei finished from close range, and Qingdao's defensive lapses allowed the Chinese international to net his second goal in the 72nd minute. Dider Lamkel Ze managed a consolation for Hainiu, but it was Chengdu Rongcheng who emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, setting up a semifinal clash against Henan.