Given the outstanding performance of both sides in the previous rounds of the tournament, both of which were ranked in the top five and showed a strong desire to go beyond, the battle was titled as a battle of transcendence. Obviously, the winners and losers of the match will significantly affect the future development trend of the overtaking camp. This season's battle for supremacy is extremely fierce, and the road to supremacy is full of thorns and challenges.
This is the second time in the history of the two teams to face each other. Looking back to the second round of the 2023 FA Cup, Yunnan Yukun had qualified by beating Guangxi Pingguo 2-0 at home. Despite meeting again a year later, the situation was very different, with both teams having undergone significant changes to their lineups at all levels. In addition, fans of both sides were slightly downbeat ahead of the match, with a tense atmosphere prevailing on social media platforms.
Guangxi Pingguo faced the match at their home ground Pingguo City Stadium. The referee for the match was Meng Xiangkun from Beijing, the first assistant referee was Sun Jin from Xi'an, the second assistant referee was from Tianjin, while the fourth official was Li Huigang from Beijing.
The starting lineups for both sides were revealed:
Guangxi Pingguo debut: Banmu led the front line, followed by Sun Weizhe, Hu Jiajin and Hu Mingfei; Zhang Wentao and Giovanni partnered in the midfield; the defense line consisted of Shan Pengfei, Hevel, Gao Jiarun and Wang Huapeng, and the goalkeeper was Dong Yifan.
Yunnan Yukun started: Mu Xiekui and Yonicha formed the front line, Labouillard, Liu Yi, Zhao Yuhao and Han Zilong held the midfield; the back line consisted of Cao Haiqing, Jiang Jiehong, Go Teng and Dili Mulati, and Yao Hao Yang was the goalkeeper.
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Only three minutes into the match, Mu Xiekui was brought down by Zhang Wentao while carrying the ball, triggering a clash between the two sides, with Zhang Wentao and Mu Xiekui each receiving a yellow card. Guangxi Pingguo took a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute when Banmu received the ball on the right before Giovanni exploded down the middle.
The second half was a fierce battle between the two sides, but goals were hard to come by. Guangxi Pingguo's defense strategy was solid, effectively containing the opponent's attack and posing a threat to the opponent's defense through many quick counterattacks. Although Yunnan Yukun's Li Jinyu adjusted his tactics many times, the effect was not good. The offense was never able to open up the situation, and finally swallowed the first defeat of the season on the road.
