The Henan team faced the league leaders twice in a week, delivering an impressive performance once again.

Reporter Lu Mi reported In just one week, the Henan Jiuzhu Dukang team faced the league leaders, Shanghai Shenhua, twice in a double-header. After knocking out Shenhua in a penalty shootout in the cup match, they continued to compete with their full squad in the league, delivering a thrilling performance. Despite losing 2-3 due to inferior physical strength, the indomitable spirit of Henan football received considerable praise.

After advancing in the FA Cup, the Henan team remained in Shanghai for training, preparing for the weekend's rematch against Shenhua in the league. Although they won the cup match, the disparity in player strength and bench depth prompted the Henan team to prepare more diligently for this league showdown. Ramos and his players are eager to secure points in the league encounter. Compared to the FA Cup, the only change in the starting lineup for Henan is the return of goalkeeper Wang Guoming.

In contrast to the FA Cup, where both teams quickly found their rhythm, this time the attacking pace between them was slow. Shenhua took the initiative at the start, continuously attempting long shots from outside the penalty area and controlling the midfield, pushing their formation forward with each attack, putting significant pressure on Henan's defense. Under this pressure, Henan frequently made passing errors. For instance, in the 6th minute, the opponent exploited a huge gap in the defense, creating a chance near the small box with a cut-back pass that led to a shot, raising alarms for Henan's defense.

After withstanding the opponent's relentless assault in the first 10 minutes, the Henan team attempted to strengthen their attacking organization in the front line but rarely reached the opponent's penalty area. In the 16th minute, Shanghai Shenhua earned a corner kick on the right side, where the tall Jiang Shenglong jumped at the back post, overpowering Ye Lijiang to head the ball into the net. With no rotation for key players and a bench depth that couldn't match the opponent's, the rain-soaked conditions further drained their stamina, making the situation very challenging for Henan. Following this goal, the shot count in the first 20 minutes was 0-6 in favor of Henan's opponents, placing them at a complete disadvantage.

However, it was evident that, despite the unfavorable circumstances, the Henan team continued to attempt attacks after several unsuccessful attempts. In the 2nd minute of stoppage time in the first half, Achimpen was fouled by Manafa at the edge of the penalty area. After a review by the video assistant referee, a penalty was awarded, which Nasario converted, leveling the score. This marked Achimpen's 7th penalty earned for Henan this season, as his numerous individual efforts brought life to the team.

“This was a high-quality match where both sides gave their all. Everyone was focused on scoring, and the game was both exciting and tense, keeping the suspense until the very last moment,” said Ramos. After equalizing, Henan briefly gained momentum, but due to a significant disadvantage in midfield, they were intercepted twice by Shanghai Shenhua, leading to two additional goals, making the score 1-3.

As the match progressed, it became apparent that the Henan players were very fatigued, yet they refused to give up. Seeing that Shenhua had eased their attacking pressure, they prepared to fight back. In the 64th minute, Ramos substituted Huang Zichang for Zhong Yihui, and Lu Yongtao replaced Abdul Rahman, refreshing the midfield stamina and increasing their attacking options. After Achimpen scored again to narrow the deficit, Nasario crossed from the right, but Cardoso missed a golden opportunity to score. For a period, Henan launched a small surge in attack, almost replicating the dramatic scenes from the FA Cup. Unfortunately, they ultimately could not equalize.

Facing the league leaders Shanghai Shenhua twice in one week, the Henan team delivered an impressive performance. After a 3-3 draw in the FA Cup, they narrowly advanced in a penalty shootout; returning to the league stage, they fought fiercely until the end, losing 2-3. In these two encounters, the Henan team not only recognized the gap with top teams but also rediscovered their original spirit and resilience. Their fearlessness against strong opponents and refusal to give up when behind, coupled with repeated opportunities to turn the tide in desperate situations, reflect a persistent desire for victory, showcasing the team's inherent toughness, which is the essence of Henan football.

“Today, we faced the top-ranked Shanghai Shenhua without fear. The match was extremely tense, and we capitalized on our opportunities. After falling behind 1-3, we indeed gained momentum, narrowing the score to 2-3. Even in the final moments of the match, if we had been lucky, we could have equalized at 3-3. In stoppage time, we almost seized the last opportunity to level the score, but luck was not on our side.” After the match, Ramos expressed his heartfelt sentiments, noting that although they ultimately lost the league battle, the quality of their performance in both matches was enough for them to leave Shanghai with their heads held high, instilling confidence for future encounters against strong teams.