Seventeen-year-old goalkeeper Chen Jingheng saved two penalties on October 3, lifting Dongguan past Meizhou in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 aggregate draw at the Dongguan Stadium, securing a spot in the Yuechao League final.
Dongguan Stadium Penalty Drama
More than 10,000 spectators watched Dongguan fall 2-1 on the night to Meizhou, leaving the two-leg semifinal tied at 2-2 on aggregate. With no extra time played, the match moved directly to a penalty shootout.
Parallel Heroics in Nagoya
On the same evening in Japan, Guangzhou-trained goalkeeper Li Hao produced two saves in another 4-3 penalty shootout at the Nagoya Asian Games. Li helped the China under-23 team defeat Uzbekistan to claim the bronze medal, marking the nation’s first podium finish in the men’s football tournament in 28 years. The simultaneous performances by Chen in Dongguan and Li in Nagoya highlighted a productive day for goalkeepers developed in Guangdong province.
Passing the Torch at Dongguan Stadium
Former national team and Guangdong Hongyuan goalkeeper Qu Chuuliang attended the fixture at Dongguan Stadium to perform the ceremonial opening kick. Qu, a two-time Jia-A best goalkeeper award winner in 1995 and 1996, stood on the sidelines while Chen guarded the goalmouth. Local reports noted that Chen had previously saved a stoppage-time penalty during an away fixture in Shaoguan earlier in the tournament.
Veteran Captain Wang Zhihao Leads Dongguan to Victory
Dongguan captain Wang Zhihao played the full 90 minutes of the semifinal at age 40. Away from the pitch, Wang works as a physical education teacher at Dongken Middle School. Originally from Meizhou’s Xingning football tradition, Wang has played in Dongguan for more than a decade, transitioning from local amateur leagues to the provincial Yuechao level. Throughout the fixture, the home supporters maintained chants despite early missed penalties, sustaining an atmosphere that carried the team through regulation and the decisive shootout.
Next Fixture
Dongguan will face Shenzhen in the Yuechao League final on October 31.
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