Evergrande Football School chased three goals to draw 4-4 but narrowly lost, Incheon United coach praised their "strong mentality"

Zuo Ruifa from Dingnan, Jiangxi Evergrande Football School, down 1-4, never gave up and scored three goals in the final eight minutes. Despite losing 5-6 in the penalty shootout to Incheon United, this peak match of the first "462 Cup" China-Korea Youth Football Elite Challenge pleased the audience and won high praise from both coaches.

Before the penalty shootout began, the Evergrande U14 players formed a circle, and head coach Zhao Yuxiang loudly said, "A very good match with ups and downs, this is exactly why we came to Dingnan!" After the game, when both coaching teams shook hands, Incheon United coach Midal Park repeatedly said, "Good game!"

Before this encounter, neither team had faced such a tough challenge. Evergrande Football School held a +22 goal difference, while Incheon United’s was 11:2. The latter, who usually rotate extensively, fielded their full-strength starting lineup this match, with captain and left-footed player Kim Heoran appearing for the first time in his preferred left midfield position.

From the start, Evergrande Football School showed their fast and straightforward style, using the forwards’ speed to press the opponent, missing a one-on-one chance early on. At the 3rd minute, Incheon’s No.36 Lee Gyeonho intercepted in the front court and curled a shot into the far corner, giving Incheon an unexpected lead. Their wing attacks earned more corners, and at the 30th minute, Incheon’s fifth corner finally paid off as goalkeeper missed the ball, allowing No.25 Hwangbu Tae-sang to head in another goal.

During the entire first half, Evergrande Football School missed three good scoring chances. Although the match was balanced in play, the difference in finishing was evident. Just 3 minutes into the second half, Incheon executed a tactical corner kick, and No.14 Liu Can-yong headed to extend the lead to 3-0, making Evergrande appear desperate at that moment.

At the 62nd minute, Evergrande broke through on the right, and No.38 Liu Zihan swept a shot in front of goal to pull one back. At the 68th minute, No.44 Yu Jiawei missed another chance to narrow the gap.

Just one minute later, Hwangbu Tae-sang immediately punished the wasted opportunity by dribbling past defenders and scoring a brilliant one-on-one goal. At 4-1, the match seemed to be out of reach again. Unexpectedly, the comeback was just beginning.

At the 72nd minute, Evergrande’s Yu Jiawei scored with a chip shot during a second-phase set-piece attack; at the 77th minute, Yang Jingwen headed in a goal from a corner; at the 80th minute, Zheng Dingchang scored in a scramble in front of goal, leveling it at 4-4!

Before equalizing, the chasing side had also missed a one-on-one chance. The penalty shootout was decided only in the 6th round, with Incheon goalkeeper An Si-ho saving the last penalty, securing victory in this pinnacle China-Korea youth showdown.

After the match, Midal Park said they knew beforehand the opponent’s strength and reminded players to defend well and persevere, but the opponent’s "strong mentality and united spirit" were displayed so fully that "it is something we should definitely learn from." He admitted morale dropped after going down 2-4, adding, "The opponent had too many shooting opportunities throughout the match; we must improve our defense going forward."

Midal Park considered Evergrande Football School one of the strongest teams in the tournament, clearly superior in fitness and fighting spirit. After gaining two points through the penalty shootout, Incheon advanced a step closer to the championship goal. "We have been emphasizing to the players to fight until the very last match and the final moment. Now, the kids undoubtedly understand this more deeply."