Located off the coast of Fujian and facing the Taiwan Straits, Pingtan is China's second International Tourism Island, known for its island scenery and growing sports and cultural scene. On May 5, its football team carried that spirit onto the pitch in an away match against Longyan in the Fujian Football City League, widely known as the "Min Chao."

Pingtan team in red battles fiercely against Longyan team

Pingtan lost 1–0 after a hard-fought 90 minutes, but the team's resilience drew praise. Longyan, playing at home, started strongly and broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. Pingtan regrouped quickly and mounted counterattacks, yet struggled to create clear scoring chances against a disciplined defense. The visitors trailed 1–0 at halftime.

After the break, both sides exchanged attacks. Longyan pressed for a second goal with long-range efforts and quick breaks, while Pingtan relied on wing play and set pieces to find an equalizer. A pivotal moment came in the second half when Longyan earned a penalty, only for Pingtan's goalkeeper to produce a crucial save, lifting team morale. Pingtan pushed forward late on, but several promising chances were either denied or narrowly missed.

"We showed determination. No matter who we face, we give everything," said Pingtan player Kang Kequan after the match. "As long as we fight to the end, I believe everyone can be satisfied."

Pingtan will remain on the road, facing Zhangzhou on May 10 as they look to bounce back.

Pingtan cheer squad rallies behind the hometown team

Off the pitch, Pingtan's supporters made an equally strong impression. Around 50 students from Fujian Polytechnic of Information Technology formed a cheer squad that traveled with the Pingtan team, combining youthful energy with elements of intangible cultural heritage in their halftime performance. Their show, titled "Cane Shield War Drums: Spirit of the Sea," blended modern dance with traditional routines, drawing loud applause from the crowd.

"It makes us proud to cheer for our hometown team on this stage," said squad member Wang Ran.

Fans also made the six-and-a-half-hour journey to support the team, filling the stands with chants and drumbeats. "Football is a source of pride for our hometown," said supporter Guo Guoyao, attending his first away match. "No matter the result, we stand behind the team."

After the game, head coach He Bin thanked the traveling fans, calling them the team's "12th player." He acknowledged the squad's limitations, noting that most players are amateurs and that Pingtan lacks a deep professional football foundation.

"Compared with the first round, we improved significantly," He said. "The players gave everything. Going forward, we need to stay humble, learn from each match, and keep building experience."

Despite the narrow defeat, the match highlighted more than just the scoreline. From determined players to devoted fans and vibrant cultural displays, Pingtan's football journey is becoming a platform to showcase both sporting ambition and the island's youthful, creative energy.