Overview of the first round of the FA Cup: The teams that advanced in the qualifying rounds performed brilliantly
Xinhuanet, Beijing, March 18th: From the 15th to the 17th, the first round of the 2024 Chinese Football Association Cup was staged. Two Chinese B teams from Dalian Kuncheng and Xi’an Chongde Ronghai and 14 amateur teams successfully advanced to the second round, including as many as 12 amateur teams from the qualifying rounds. In addition, the content of the Football Association Cup in the new season will be more colorful.
The teams that advanced in the qualifying rounds performed brilliantly
Guangxi Guigang Sports Center Stadium is the first to host the opening ceremony and opening match of the national top football cup. After the large-scale live music and dance performance “Bushanna Nostalgia” with a strong national style, three knights held the national flag, the Football Association flag and the Football Association Cup flag, rode a horse around the field, interacted with the fans at the scene, and brought the Football Association Cup opening ceremony to the stage. Push to climax. The ensuing game was held in a pattering spring rain, and 21,398 Guigang fans witnessed this football event. In the end, Guangxi Bushan, who was at home, defeated Ningxia Pingluo Hengli 2:0 with Liu Xin’s world-beating long-range shot and Gao Zilong’s header, and successfully advanced to the second round.
The scale of the FA Cup competition has been further expanded this season, with 80 participating teams, and 16 amateur teams have qualified for the main competition through the qualifying rounds. The number of competition rounds has increased from 7 rounds in the 2023 season to 8 rounds. The first round of competition lasted three days and was held in 13 cities across the country. Judging from the competition situation, the overall performance of the 16 qualifying teams was good, and 12 of them advanced to the second round. In addition to the host Guangxi Bushan, Shanghai Shenshui, Shanxi Xiangyu, Hangzhou Qiantang, Qianxinan Xufengtang, Shanghai Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Dezhou Haishan, Shenzhen Jixiang, Qingdao China Youth League, and Shanghai Saigenda all defeated their opponents to advance. Qujing Yibu and Changchun Xidu both drew with their opponents during regular time and eventually advanced through penalty shootouts.
The local derby gave the match between Shanghai Shenshui and Shanghai Tongji a unique significance. In the end, Shanghai Shenshui defeated its opponent 3:0 to advance.
The content of the competition is more colorful
The further expansion of the Football Association Cup has allowed more cities and regions to welcome this cup for the first time. Strong grassroots teams have stood at the center of the main stage through the qualifying rounds, and the concept of “football for all” has become more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Many teams from ethnic minority areas, including Guangxi Bushan, the hosts of the opening match, have become the bright scenery of this season’s FA Cup. Gannan 92 United, which advanced through the qualifying round, is a team with very national characteristics. They come from Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu. Most of the players in the team are Tibetan. Before the game, they entered the venue wearing national costumes and were welcomed by fans. A warm welcome. Although they failed to go further, Gannan 92 United Team has left its mark on the history of the Football Association Cup.
In addition, there are also many ethnic minority players in teams such as Qianxinan Xu Fengtang and Qujing Yibu. Before the game, they wore traditional national costumes and showed fans across the country their unique ways of cheering through videos, making the FA Cup a stage for all ethnic groups to share their beauty and weal and woe.
At the same time, some distinctive teams also get showcase opportunities through the FA Cup. Qujing Yibu is composed of local football coaches. Now they are doing youth training while training and playing with the team. Being able to participate in the FA Cup and successfully advance to the second round this time is, for many of them, a professional football dream come true. The Nanning Juding team, which has the youngest average age this season, is all composed of high school students, and the oldest member of the team is only 19 years old. Their opponent, Shanghai Saigenda, was formed by Zhu Jun, a former investor in Shanghai Shenhua. The 58-year-old Zhu Jun started the game and scored one goal. In the end, Shanghai Saigenda defeated Nanning Juding 7:0, creating the largest first round of this year’s Football Association Cup. According to the score, Zhu Jun also set the record for the oldest player and goal scorer in the FA Cup.
It is also worth mentioning that Hangzhou Qiantang successfully advanced. Although they are just an ordinary amateur team in the Football Association Cup, in the futsal circle, Hangzhou Qiantang can be called a “rich team”. In last year’s Five Super League, Hangzhou Qiantang won the runner-up. In the latest five-a-side men’s football national team training list, Hangzhou Qiantang has 6 players selected, making it the club with the most players selected.