Guizhou shock Guangzhou in Chinese FA Cup quarters

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In a major upset in the Chinese FA Cup, a struggling Guizhou Hengfeng knocked out a high-flying Guangzhou Evergrande after winning a nail-biting penalty shootout in a rain-delayed match.

Playing at home, Guangzhou Evergrande, who are on a good roll this season having reached the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League and are unbeaten in seven games in the Chinese Super League (CSL), were held to a 2-2 draw by a resurgent Guizhou Hengfeng. A team that are languishing at the relegation zone in the league after wining the tie-breaker 4-2 to miss out on a quarterfinal berth.

After a pouring rain delayed the kick off by half an hour, Chinese Under 23 player Tang Shi curled home an excellent shot into the top corner in the 23rd minute to give the hosts the lead. But Guizhou drew level before halftime when Tang Xin found Zheng Mukai, who tapped in from the penalty spot.

Guizhou players celebrate after their win against Guangzhou Evergrande. /VCG Photo

After the interval, Alan was brought down by Liang Xueming in the box, earning a penalty for the CSL champions. The Brazilian striker didn’t make any mistake to convert to give Evergrande a 2-1 lead in the 54th minute.

But Liang redeemed himself in the 87th minute as he escaped Alan and slotted home to make it 2-2. With both the sides failing to break the deadlock, the match went down to tie-breaker.

Alan was up first for Guangzhou, but he sent his attempt way high for a terrible start. Later, Guangzhou's Deng Hanwen’s effort was stopped by keeper Su Boyang before Zhu Zhengyu netted the all-important match-winning goal to wrap up the shootout 4-1.

Midfield action during the Chinese FA Cup game between Guizhou & Guangzhou. /VCG Photo

Elsewhere, Guangzhou R&F beat League two Shenyang 2-1, Demba Cisse's two goals helped Shandong Luneng win 3-2 over Hebei Fortune.

Shanghai SIPG edged Beijing Renhe 4-3 in a shoot-out after a 0-0 draw in 90 minutes. Sichuan edged past Nantong 9-8 on kicks after a 1-1 draw while Su Bo's late goal lifted Chongqing SWM over Dalian Yifang, and Beijing Guoan topped Tianjin Teda 1-0.