At noon on December 8, the 34th round of the 2022 season of China's First Division League ended with a fierce battle on the green field of the Dalian Football Youth Training Base. The division of Kunshan and Zibo Cuju started a summit duel. With a brilliant goal from midfielder Ildeberto, Kunshan defeated Zibo Cuju by a narrow margin of 1-0, and was crowned the 2022 China First Division League champion with a brilliant record of 28 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss. Nantong Zhiyun followed in second and third place, and all three teams managed to qualify for next season's Chinese Super League.
The battle was staged at the Dalian Football Youth Training Base. Kunshan team sent two foreigners to play, while Zibo Cuju put five U23 youngsters on the field. In the heat of the battle, Li Songyi and Ildeberto's shots were all valiantly parried by Zibo goalkeeper Li Xuebo. Until the 89th minute of the game, Ildeberto, with the help of his teammates, finished with a beautiful shot from a small angle to break the goal. Kunshan finally beat Zibo Cuju with a score of 1-0, bringing the 2022 China First Division League to a successful conclusion.
Kunshan has had a strong season, not only setting two records in China's first division: 28 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss, surpassing Guangzhou Evergrande's 17 wins, 6 draws and 1 loss in 24 games in 2010, but also surpassing Wuhan Sanzhen's record of 79 points from last season's championship with 89 league points.
As the season came to an end, Shi Qiang, head of the Preparatory Team of the Chinese Professional Football Clubs Federation, and the Deputy Secretary of the Dalian Municipal Party Committee co-hosted the award ceremony. Li Pengyu, Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Jinpu New District and Deputy Head of the Dalian Football Reform and Development Working Group, Wang Jinliang, Director of the Management Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Dalian University, and Wen Dianbin, Director of the Dalian Sports Bureau, and many other leaders and guests came to present the Championship trophies and medals to the Kunshan team.
The moment Kunshan won the championship trophy marked the return of Jiangsu soccer to the Chinese Super League after two years. This is not only the best recognition and feedback to Kunshan's "three jumps" in the past four years, but also sets a brand new milestone for the future development of China's Central League.
In 2022, despite the continued impact of the new Crown Pneumonia epidemic, the Chinese League A set sail with great difficulty at the beginning of June, with 18 teams competing fiercely in the three zones of Dalian, Tangshan and Nanjing. In the CFA, CFA preparatory group as well as the districts and participating clubs in the joint efforts of the epidemic prevention and control, accommodation and hospitality, venue facilities, competition organization, service protection and other key work in full swing, to ensure that the smooth progress of the league, for the vast number of fans to offer an unforgettable soccer feast. Among them, Dalian Region witnessed the birth of the champion, and this year it is even more determined to take on the heavy responsibility of organizing almost all national soccer events, contributing positively to the development of Chinese soccer.
With the end of the season, the heart is surging with reluctance and attachment; looking back, looking forward, we grow up together with the China A League.
Grateful for 2022 and looking forward to 2023.
