Henan FC etched their name into Chinese football history on Wednesday, defeating Chengdu Rongcheng 4-3 in a penalty shootout to secure their first-ever Chinese FA Cup final appearance. The underdogs from Zhengzhou overcame their higher-ranked CSL rivals in a match filled with near-misses, disallowed goals, and last-minute heroics.
Underdogs Rise to the Occasion
Despite sitting 12th in the Chinese Super League standings, Henan demonstrated remarkable resilience against fourth-placed Chengdu. The visitors nearly opened scoring in the 32nd minute when Frank Acheampong's powerful strike rattled the left post, while Lucas Maia's 64th-minute header off a corner similarly threatened Chengdu's defense.
Nail-Biting Finish Seals Historic Win
Chengdu appeared poised for victory in stoppage time, but goalkeeper Wang Guoming's crucial double save forced extra time. Drama escalated when Timo Letschert's 95th-minute header was disallowed for a foul. The penalty shootout saw both teams struggle initially before Wang cemented his hero status with a decisive save against Letschert's attempt.
Henan now awaits the winner of Wednesday's Beijing Guoan vs Yunnan Yukun semifinal, with the final scheduled for November 25. This remarkable achievement marks a new chapter for Henan FC, showcasing the competitive depth of Chinese football.
