In the late afternoon of June 25, Nantong Haimen Ketan Edge beat Shenzhen 6-5 on penalties, and the third round of the 2023 FA Cup came to an end, with all of the top 16 teams in the competition, except for two B teams and one A team, being Chinese Super League (CSL) teams. Compared to previous years, there were few "good stories" on the field, not to mention "amazing", so this scene is quite surprising.
In truth, the CFA's decisions set the tone. Specifically, the results of the second round of the draw on September 5, 2022 in the late afternoon.
Looking back at the FA Cup in previous years, Guoan's defeat against Jingchuan Wenhui was criticized by the media as a "shameful defeat", and many teams also gave up the competition, or sent a full Chinese class to play. The feeling is that the FA Cup has been reduced to a "chicken ribs" tournament, most teams just perfunctory. The reason for this is that the Chinese Super League teams have adopted this strategy due to lack of funds or for relegation, but more importantly, this "tone" itself.
The essence of this "tone" was the result of the draw: the top four teams in the league at the time, Wuhan Sanzhen, Shandong Taishan, Songshan Longmen, and Shanghai Shenhua, were all in the top half of the draw; the bottom half of the draw, Seaport, was seeded with mostly mid- to lower-tier teams in the league, including the two promoted teams. When the result came out, there was a public outcry: it was clear that the seaport was being boosted to win the title.
That's why the "good story" was born. Of course, the fact that the seaport was eventually eliminated by Zhejiang in the semifinals and the championship was won by Taishan is another story. In other words, it was unexpected. As early as the second round and the round of 32, the Chinese Super League teams were involved in the draw, which fully exposed the ugliness of some people who intended to undermine the principle of fairness and impartiality.
It is obvious that Chen Xuyuan is the leader of those who think they are smart. In fact, the league's divisions, schedule adjustments, and even the refereeing arrangements reveal the intent of Chen Xuyuan and others to favor the seaport.
The rules of this year's tournament have been significantly adjusted. The first round of the 16 teams and amateur 16 teams from the B team, the winner advances to the second round; then, 16 teams and 16 teams in a single elimination match, the winner advances to the third round. Until then, the 16 Chinese Super League teams were not officially "unveiled".
The four seeded teams in this year's round of 16 draw, known as the "AFC Champions League", are different from last year's list of teams based on the results of the 21st season of the FA Cup and the Chinese Super League, but they are essentially the same. However, the results of the draw were not controversial and were fair, at least in terms of the first stage of the league standings. The results of the draw are as follows:
First half: Seaport - Jinmen Tigers, Dalian People - Henan, Qingdao West Coast - Guoan, Meizhou Hakka - Taishan; Second half: Nantong Zhiyun - Wuhan Sanzhen, Changchun Yatai - Qingdao Hainiu, Chongqing Tongliang Dragon - Nantong Haimen Kotanyuan, Zhejiang - Shenhua.
Although Guoan only narrowly beat Zibo Qisheng 1-0 in this round, avoiding a repeat of last year, while Chengdu Rongcheng, who is currently third in the league, is slightly more mediocre. However, the media has not been seen openly discussing the rules of sportsmanship and fair play at the FA level during this round of fixtures. It can be said that this year's FA Cup is back on track, at least so far.
Judging from the draw, Seaport, Taishan, Shenhua and Wuhan will face the finalists in their respective halves. If there is no change in foreign aid in the summer window, it is speculated that this year's FA Cup will be won by the Shanghai duo. Even if Harbor wins the cup, I don't think there will be much discussion about it, and it may even be considered an "expected" result.
The 2023 FA Cup is full of stories. The ongoing anti-corruption campaign in soccer has not only removed some of the pests and tumors lurking in Chinese soccer, but also sorted out the relevant rules. The league and FA Cup are gradually getting back on track. What seems to be banal and logical is a rare breath of fresh air.
Although I dare not hope that there will be no twists and turns in the future, as long as all practitioners work together and forge ahead, Chinese soccer will surely overcome all the difficulties and move towards glory.
