Pingtan players celebrate their goal.

Pingtan, an island city in the Taiwan Straits that has increasingly used sport and tourism events to energize its visitor economy, saw its football team put in a determined display at home on May 16, despite suffering a 3-1 defeat to Ningde in the 2026 Fujian Football City League (FJCL).

Thousands of fans packed the Pingtan Comprehensive Training Base as the two sides played an intense match marked by quick transitions and high-tempo attacking football. Pingtan started strong, using its home advantage to push forward early and repeatedly testing Ningde's defense through attacks down the flanks.

Ningde opened the scoring in the 12th minute from the penalty spot, but Pingtan responded with composure. In the 24th minute, the hosts made the most of a free-kick opportunity. Xi Weijun reacted sharply inside the box, controlled the ball and turned quickly before firing into the net to level the score.

The equalizer lifted the home side's confidence, with Pingtan continuing to apply pressure through crosses and set pieces. However, Ningde restored their lead in the 42nd minute after capitalizing on a fast attack to make it 2-1 before halftime.

After the break, the intensity remained high despite signs of fatigue from both teams. Pingtan repeatedly pushed into the opposition area, while Ningde sat deeper and looked to create opportunities through long balls and counterattacks. Ningde extended their lead in the 50th minute during a swift break, making it 3-1.

Pingtan threw more players forward in the latter stages and created several dangerous chances, but could not find another goal.

"Among our recent matches, this was probably the one where the team worked together best," Pingtan player Chen Guofeng said after the game. "Playing at home gave us energy and things felt more fluid. In the next match, we hope to score again, get points and fight for our first win."

Despite the result, Pingtan's determination earned applause from supporters.

Football meets carnival atmosphere

The evening extended beyond football itself. Outside the stadium, a carnival brought together food stalls, cultural and creative products and entertainment activities, giving visitors a matchday experience that combined sport with leisure and local culture.

To expand the event's reach, organizers also set up secondary viewing sites, allowing fans outside the stadium to watch the match and take part in the wider festivities.