On May 18, the 2023 Chinese Football Association Cup at Quitun Stadium had its share of passion and regret. Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong's Meng Zhen scored a clever barbed goal from a set piece play throughout injury time to complete a shutout. Yili Jucheng ended the team's first trip to the AFC Cup with a 1:2 defeat.
The players of Ili Jiu Cheng Football Club consist of teachers, students and amateur players working in the company. The FA Cup was the strongest opponent in the three months of its existence. However, as an amateur team, it stayed competitive throughout the game against Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong, a professional team in China B.
In the first half, both sides attacked and defended each other. In several threatening attacks by Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong, Yili Jucheng's players managed to defuse them through active fighting and defense.
In the second half, the fitness of both teams dropped, which made both defenses start to leak. In the 73rd minute of the game, after a teammate's long-distance shot was parried, Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong's freshman substitute, Zhang Tong, stepped in to add a timely score.
Facing an unfavorable situation of 0-1 down, it inspired the fighting spirit of Ili Jiu Cheng team. After two threatening attacks were solved by the opponents, in the 81st minute of the game, No.11 substitute player Abdulmijti Yar retrieved his teammate in the buy and scored easily. The enthusiasm of the fans in the stadium was also "ignited" by this goal.
After that, Yili Jucheng defended tenaciously and many players suffered from leg cramps. Unfortunately, in the 95th minute, Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong finished the game with a set piece.
"It was my first goal in a national tournament and I was so excited. My students were also watching the game from the stands and it set a great example for them. I'm very happy." In an interview after the game, Abdulmijti Yarbayati said:- "It was hard to lose the game. When we go back, we need to summarize the game, including passing coordination and physical training, which need to be improved by our whole team."
Wang Xin, the No.10 player of Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong, who was named the best player of the match, affirmed the performance of the players of Yili Jucheng Football Club: "The opponents put a lot of pressure on us and seized the chance of counter-attacks. They were tenacious and in good overall form."
The executive coach of Ili Jiu Cheng Football Club, Gutikul Aishan, used to be the captain of Shandong Luneng's youth team and national junior team, and has worked for many Chinese Super League and Chinese League One clubs.
"I am very pleased with the players' performance today. Most of the players were playing on such a turf for the first time. They gave 200% of their effort, persevered until the end and played with spirit. We lost in the details, the lack of ability to seize opportunities and the lack of concentration of energy in defense. I also believe the team will get better through the game." I mentioned Kuhl.
On July 17th, Yili Jiucheng Football Club will go to Baotou to participate in the Group G match of the Chinese Championship, and this match also allows the team to feel the atmosphere of the match in advance.
