Chinese Women's FA Cup Round of 16: Sichuan Women 0-0 Guangdong Women The 2026 Chinese Women's FA Cup saw a tense but goalless stalemate in the round of 16, as Sichuan Women and Guangdong Women played out a 0-0 draw at the Sichuan Provincial Sports Center on March 12th. The match, which kicked off at 4:00 PM local time, was a cagey affair defined more by defensive organization and midfield battles than clear-cut chances, setting up a dramatic penalty shootout to decide who would advance to the quarter-finals. The match process was one of few genuine opportunities. Sichuan, playing at home, started brightly and applied early pressure, forcing the Guangdong goalkeeper into a smart save from a long-range effort in the 15th minute. Guangdong grew into the game, however, and their best chance came just before halftime when a swift counter-attack ended with a forward firing just wide of the far post. The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams cautious of overcommitting. A moment of controversy arose in the 70th minute when a Sichuan attacker went down in the box under a challenge, but the referee waved play on, a decision that was upheld after a brief VAR check. The final whistle blew with the deadlock unbroken, leaving the outcome to be decided from the penalty spot. The focus point of the match was undoubtedly the shootout that followed. After 120 minutes of stalemate, it was Guangdong who held their nerve, converting four penalties to Sichuan's three, securing their passage in the competition. The standout performance came from the Guangdong goalkeeper, who made a crucial save in the shootout to seal the victory. For Sichuan, it was a heartbreaking exit on home soil, their defensive solidity throughout the 90 minutes ultimately not enough. As this was a knockout cup match, there was no direct impact on any league table. The result simply sends Guangdong Women into the next round of the FA Cup, while Sichuan's cup campaign comes to an end for the season. Post-match, the Sichuan manager expressed pride in his team's effort but frustration at their lack of cutting edge. "We controlled large parts of the game but couldn't find the final ball. Penalties are a lottery, and today it didn't go our way," he said. The Guangdong coach praised her team's resilience: "It was a very tough match away from home. We showed great character to stay in the game and fantastic composure from the spot. We're delighted to be through." The starting lineups feat