Players Abroad of Friday, 7 May 2004
Source: Shanghai Daily news
Kwame Ayew's Shanghai International did enough to come roaring back in the return leg of the 2004 Chinese Football Association Cup match against Qingdao Bright yesterday but fell short when it mattered most.
The home team scored a resounding 3-0 regulation-time victory in the return leg after losing the first leg by a similar margin. But International bowed out, losing 4-6 in a penalty shootout.
Qingdao's keeper Li Shuai shone under the bar, shutting out three International players from the spot. Ghana striker Kwame Ayew and captain Wu Chengying were among those who missed.
Qingdao thrashed Shanghai 3-0 last Saturday but were at a loss at Shanghai Stadium yesterday. The hosts went ahead 15 minutes into the game through a 30-meter effort by left winger Cheng Liang. The visitors were punished for their error-prone defense once again twelve minutes later when Du Ping grabbed a stray pass by Qingdao defenders and fired in a volley to put International 2-0 up.
Du and Ayew - International's new signings during the close season - impressed the home crowd by constantly invading the rival camp throughout much of the game.
Playmaker Wang Yun's neat pass set up the third goal for International with Ayew firing in from a close range in the 59th minute.
With the overall scoreline level 3-3, the home side upped the tempo of the game but the fourth goal remained elusive. Both Wang and veteran midfielder Qi Hong squandered handful of chances, forcing the game into extra time.
The victory earned Qingdao a spot in the final eight of the competition.