In mid-September, the games of the National Olympic Games and the National Football League were temporarily over, and the Super League battles were rekindled.
The national soccer team is such that it's no surprise that they lost to Syria when they couldn't even beat Malaysia. Interestingly, the FIFA rankings have also improved by one.
The Olympics were even more interesting, failing to beat the UAE, narrowly beating India, and not even making it out of Iran.
As the 2023 Chinese Super League season comes to an end, defending champion Wuhan Sanzhen and runner-up Shandong Taishan are feared to have other flavors compared to a year ago.
Wuhan Three Towns vs Cangzhou Lions
Nature of Match: Chinese Super League 25th Round
Competition time: September 15, 1999: 35
The defending champions lost the chain early, not because of strength, the parent company did not want to play professional soccer last year, but no one took over, investors announced the termination of their investments as of September 1, there was no movement on the so-called stock reform, and the biggest movement was the sale of Stanciu, the core of the midfield.
The Cangzhou Lions fall into the category of not being on top.
Currently in the Chinese Super League standings, Wuhan Three Town is ranked sixth with 39 points from 24 matches, 10 wins, 9 draws and 5 losses, 3 points behind Shanghai Shenhua in third. It may not seem like a big gap, but whether they can retain their AFC Champions League qualification is a bit up in the air. Cangzhou Lions ranked 10th with 8 wins, 6 draws, 10 losses and 30 points in 24 matches, with no hope of qualifying for the AFC Champions League and no worries about relegation.
Wuhan Sanzhen has won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4 of its last 10 matches.
Cangzhou Lions have won 4, drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches.
The two sides have met three times before, Wuhan Sanzhen 1 win and 2 losses is the underdog.
Playing at home and with a stronger overall strength than their opponents, Wuhan Sanzhen has a better chance of winning this match.
Shandong Taishan V Qingdao Sea Cow
Nature of Match: Chinese Super League 25th Round
Competition time: September 15, 1999: 35
After Cui Kangxi took over, Shandong Taishan had an excellent record, but it was normal for them to be unable to win the title due to their record pulling down before Cui Kangxi took over.
Qingdao Manatee, as a promoted horse, was still a bit uncomfortable at the beginning of the season, and then did not rebound strongly, but at least it is promising to stand firmly in the Chinese Super League.
Shandong Taishan are currently second in the Chinese Super League table with 44 points from 24 games, 12 wins, 8 draws and 4 losses, 9 points behind Shanghai Port and 3 points more than Beijing Guoan who are fourth. The possibility of winning the title is unlikely, but maintaining last season's position - the runner-up - is still very promising. Qingdao Hainiu ranked 13th with 23 points from 6 wins, 5 draws and 13 losses in 24 matches, 5 points more than Dalian Ren in the relegation zone. Relegation needs to be a continued struggle.
Shandong Taishan won 6, drew 2 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches.
Qingdao Manatees have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches.
The last 10 meetings between the two sides, Shandong Taishan 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.
This game, the traditional "Qilu derby", but now Qingdao Manatee after all, the strength of limited, home Shandong Taishan's victory should not be in doubt.
