In the FA Cup on the 17th, a team called Jingchuan Wenhui used their unexpected ball control skills to hold Chinese Super League (CSL) rivals Beijing Guoan to a 90-minute draw, a feat that was not only convincing, but also amazing. The feat was not only convincing, but also amazing, as 21-year-old Liu Jianxin revealed after the game: "The pressure of the game was not to be underestimated, but we turned the pressure into motivation when we faced the Chinese Super League powerhouse. We are excited to play against a Chinese Super League team for the first time. The whole team worked together and this was our best performance since the Champions League."
The Chinese FA Cup has always been a stage for dark horses. In the third round of the 2014 FA Cup season, Suzhou Jinfu Amateur Team, made up of waiters, students and white-collar workers, beat Liaoning Hongyun 4-2 on penalties. Since that year, the Chinese FA Cup and sponsor Yanjing Brewery have launched the "Dark Horse Award" to recognize the spirit of teams that dare to challenge and defy the strongest players. Now, Jingchuan Wenhui is expected to be a strong contender for the "Dark Horse Award" in this season's FA Cup, and the match will serve as a classic battle that will inspire more grassroots teams to take on challenges and persevere.
After 66 years of development, accumulation and innovation, the CFA Cup has become a solid bridge between the Chinese Super League, First Division, Second Division and amateur teams. It provides a competitive stage for teams of different levels, regions and styles, constantly promotes the development of social soccer, practices the concept of "soccer for all", and contributes to the popularization and spread of soccer.
