This means that in the third round, the 11 Chinese Super League teams can only place two foreign aiders at the same time. This protects the Chinese teams to a certain extent. However, Guangzhou, Wuxi Wu Hook and Suzhou Dongwu may suffer because these three teams are in the Chinese League and in the FA Cup, obviously the Chinese teams, their opponents Shanghai Port, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Meizhou Hakka, but can arrange two foreigners to appear at the same time.
In addition, five Chinese Super League (CSL) teams, Beijing Guoan, Shanghai Shenhua, Shenzhen, Henan, and Chengdu Chengdu, are not allowed to use foreign players against five CSL teams, Zibo Qisheng, Yunnan Yukun, Nantong Haimen Kotanyi, Hunan Xiangtao, and Chongqing Tongliang Long, respectively. However, in this case, the tournament procedures do not explicitly prohibit CSL teams from using naturalized players and players from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. As a result, teams with these players may benefit. For example, in Chengdu Chengdu, there are two major teams: Eckerson and Zhou Dingyang.
Of course, even so, the "Chengdu-Chongqing Dialogue" and "Southwest Derby" between Chengdu Rongcheng and Chongqing Tongliang Dragons will be highly anticipated. Chongqing Tongliang Dragons, with veterans such as Wu Qing, Huang Xiyang, Zhao Hejing and Xiang Yuwang, as well as capable and experienced players such as Chen Kerui, Chen Jiaqi and Hu Yongfa, will surely bring Chengdu Rongcheng a lot of trouble.
It is worth mentioning that Chongqing Tongliang Dragons are the promotion horse for the 2023 season of the Chinese B League. Currently, they are the favorites with the other promotion horse, Yunnan Yukun, with 10 points, leading the South Zone standings. Both of these two strong China B teams broke into the third round of the FA Cup (Yunnan Yukun's opponent was Shanghai Shenhua). Whether they can become the dark horse is worth watching.
The window for the third round is said to be June 23-25, coinciding with the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Specific times for each match should be announced soon. In addition, the round will remain a one-match competition. If the two sides draw within 90 minutes, there will be a direct penalty shootout.
