What cups are available in China
What are the soccer cups in China
The following are some of the more well-known cups in Chinese soccer:
China Football Association Cup: It is a knockout soccer cup tournament of the highest level of domestic men's soccer organized by the China Football Association. Both professional and amateur teams can participate in the tournament, with the theme of soccer for all. Cold streaks often appear in the matches, increasing the attractions and suspense of the tournament.
Chinese Football Association Super Cup: Usually the winner of the previous season's Chinese Super League (CSL) plays the winner of the Football Association Cup (FAC Cup), and if a team wins both tournaments, the runner-up of the CSL will be substituted. It is a highly spectator-friendly tournament, with the top soccer clubs in China participating.
The format of the CFA Cup is as follows:
Participating Teams:
The scale of the tournament is constantly changing. In 2023, for example, there will be 64 teams from the Chinese Super League, Chinese League 1, Chinese League 2 and 16 amateur teams; the scale of the tournament will be further expanded in 2024, with a total of 80 teams, including the 16 amateur teams that won the qualifying rounds.
Tournament rounds and fixtures:
The number of rounds in the 2024 AFC Cup has been increased from seven to eight. The first round of the tournament starts on March 15 - 17, with the Chinese Super League teams making their debut in the fourth round. The schedule is as follows:
First Round: March 15 - 17, the winning teams of the qualification round will play against some of the Chinese B teams, Chinese Championship teams and other teams in the F.A.C. Cup qualification round, a total of 16 matches, with the winning teams of the qualification round having the home field advantage.
Round 2: April 20 - 22, CBSA teams will play the winners of the first round of 16 matches, with the winners of the first round having home field advantage.
Round 3: May 17 - 19, Central League teams play the winners of the second round in 16 matches, with the second round winners having home field advantage.
Round 4: June 21st - 23rd, 16 Super League teams will play the winners of the third round.
Round 5: July 15 - 17, 8 matches.
Round 6: August 20 - 22, 4 matches.
Round 7: September 24 - 26, Semi-Finals.
Round 8: November 25th for the final battle for first and second place.
Match Racing:
Single-elimination system: Except for some special regulation rounds, most of the matches in the AFC Cup are single-elimination system. That is, two teams in a game to determine the winner, the regular time to win the team to advance to the next round; if the regular time draw, will be in accordance with the rules of different rounds of extra time or direct penalty shootout.
Overtime and Penalty Shootout Rules:
In the first to fourth rounds, if two teams are tied after 90 minutes of play, the winner of the match will be determined by an exchange of penalty kicks.
In the fifth to eighth rounds of the competition, if the two teams are tied after 90 minutes of play, extra time will be played, with 15 minutes for the first and second halves; if the teams are still tied after extra time, a penalty shootout will be played.
Principles of Home Determination:
The first four rounds of matches continue to follow the principle of "weaker team first choice" from last season. That is to say, the team ranked lower in the tournament level among the opposing teams, or the team belonging to the same tournament level but ranked lower in last season's league will be given priority in choosing the home field; if the two amateur teams meet in the fourth round and the subsequent matches, the home field will be determined through the drawing of lots.
Starting with the fifth round of matches, a second draw will be made for the FA Cup to determine the pairings and home and away arrangements for rounds five through eight.
In addition, the system of the AFC Cup in different seasons may be fine-tuned according to the actual situation, but in general it maintains the characteristics of single elimination, advancement from level to level, and taking into account the participation of teams at all levels.
The above is the answer to the question of what cups are available in China, and for more information on the tournament and team data you can pay attention to this site.
