On May 18th, Kuitun Stadium, China FA Cup 2023 season staged a duel of passion and regret. Meng Zhen of Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong completed the shutout with a screaming barbed shot from a precise set-piece play in the final moments of injury time, while Yili Jucheng ended their initial trip to the CFA Cup with a 1:2 defeat.
The Yili Jucheng soccer team, made up of teachers, students and amateur workers, faced a tough opponent, the Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong, after only three months of existence. Despite being an amateur team, they showed competitiveness comparable to professional teams.
In the first half, the two teams went back and forth, with rapid transition between offense and defense. Facing several fierce attacks from Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong, Yili Jiucheng's defenders successfully resisted the opponent's attacks with their tenacious will and positive fighting attitude.
In the second half, both sides' physical fitness gradually declined, and the defense began to have loopholes. In the 73rd minute, Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong substitute Zhang Tong seized the opportunity to add a goal to break the deadlock.
Trailing by one goal, Yili Jucheng did not get discouraged, but inspired the fighting spirit. In the 81st minute, substitute No. 11 player Abdulmijti Yar scored easily with the help of his teammates to equalize the score, and the enthusiasm of the fans on the field was also ignited.
Nonetheless, Yili Jucheng remained resilient in defense for the remainder of the game, but unfortunately for them, Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong scored again from a set piece in the 95th minute to complete the win.
After the match, Abdulmijti Yar said, "This is the first goal I have scored in a national competition and I am very excited. My students were also watching the game from the stands and this goal sets a good example for them. It was hard to lose the game, but we will learn from the experience and improve our passing game and fitness training as a team."
Wang Xin, No. 10 player of Shaoxing Shangyu Yilong, who was named the best player of the match, affirmed the performance of Yili Jucheng: "The opponents brought us a lot of pressure and they seized the opportunity of counterattack. They were very tenacious and in good overall form."
Yili Jiucheng Football Club executive coach Gutikul Aishan, who was the captain of Shandong Luneng Youth Team and National Junior Team, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance: "I am very satisfied with the players' performance today. Most of the players were playing on such a turf for the first time and they gave 200% effort. Although we lost in the details, I believe the team will get better and better."
On July 17, Yili Jiucheng Football Club will travel 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 game in advance.
