In an up-and-down match, Qingdao Red Lions and Suzhou Dongwu led almost the entire match, but suffered a draw in the final seconds, and then suffered a 2-4 defeat in the penalty shootout, leaving them out of the next round with a total score of 3-5. The highlight of the match: in the 11th minute, Qingdao Red Lions' Jiang Hang crossed the ball from the right side of the field, and Suzhou Dongwu's goalkeeper Li Xinyu's mistake allowed Wei Zhenghong to follow up with an easy goal. As the match came to a close, Suzhou Dong Wu's Dong Honglin gave a textbook performance with a brilliant long-distance shot. In the penalty shootout, Qingdao Red Lions players had psychological fluctuations and missed two goals in a row, while Suzhou Dongwu played steadily and conceded only one goal. In the end, Suzhou Dongwu eliminated Qingdao Red Lions 5-3 (4-2 on penalties) and advanced to the third round against Meizhou Hakka of the Chinese Super League. On the other hand, Nantong Haimen Kodjie Yuan won 2-0 against Liaoning Shenyang City in the Chinese B League, becoming the third Chinese B team to advance to the third round after Zibo Qisheng and Yunnan Yukun. Their opponent will be Shenzhen of the Chinese Super League.
The match between Hunan Xiangtao and Shanghai Jiading Huilong was still tied 0-0 in extra time, and when everyone thought it would go to penalty kicks, Xiangtao's No. 41 player Wu Qinghua suddenly finished the game and advanced to the third round with a counterattack. Xiangtao became the fourth team to advance with a comeback and will face Henan of the Chinese Super League in the third round. Guangxi Lanhang lost 0-2 against Wuxi Wu Hook and could not advance. Wuxi Wu Hook will meet Tianjin Jinmen Tiger in the third round. Jiangxi Lushan took the lead against Hainan Stars, but were beaten by two consecutive goals to complete the comeback. Under the leadership of new coach Bené Lima, Jiangxi Lushan won two consecutive matches in the Central League and the AFC Cup. Next up, they will face defending Chinese Super League champions Wuhan Sanzhen in the third round of the AFC Cup. In the match between Wuhan Jiangcheng and Guangzhou, the two sides drew 4-5 (4-5 on penalties), while Tai'an Tianzhu and Sichuan Jiuniu shook hands with a score of 7-8 (4-5 on penalties). Guangzhou and Sichuan Nine Bulls will face Shanghai Harbor and Zhejiang respectively in the third round. The match between Guangzhou and Shanghai Seaport was quite interesting. The participation of foreigners makes the game more exciting. Although Guangzhou is playing with a full Chinese team in the Central League, Shanghai Seaport may also play with a substitute lineup. It is worth mentioning that if Zhang Linmiao and Jiang Guangtai return, they will face their former hosts. Hubei Young Stars finally lost 1-4 to Dandong Tengyue and the match came to an end. Dandong Tengyue will face Qingdao Hainiu, a promoted team in the Chinese Super League, in the third round.
