On August 31st, a key game will be played at 15:30, Qingdao Hainiu and Shijiazhuang Kungfu will fight for the first time. One side is third in the table with 36 points, while the other side, Shijiazhuang Kungfu, is fifth with 31 points. The seemingly unattainable hope of reaching the Premier League makes this matchup full of suspense, and with a 6-point difference, success or failure is at stake.
It is worth mentioning that the place where the two teams met in Tangshan has a special historical significance. Last year, this place witnessed the glorious moment of their first-place finish, with Qingdao Manatee being crowned champions and Shijiazhuang Kung Fu coming in second place. The fact that they will meet their old rivals again makes this match even more interesting. The players of both sides are familiar with each other, so it will be an exciting match. The match will be broadcast live on Qingdao Broadcasting Station's Sports & Leisure Channel (QTV5).
On the refereeing front, Beijing-based referee Ma Li from the Chinese Super League (CSL) will be in charge of Kunshan's match against Qingdao Youth Island. He, Beijing-based first assistant referee Tang Chao, and Heilongjiang-based second assistant referee Zhao Honglei, all jointly refereed the Cangzhou Lions' match against Changchun Yatai in the 15th round of the Chinese Super League on August 28th. Ma Li was the video assistant referee, Tang Chao was the first assistant referee and Zhao Honglei was the assistant video assistant referee. The appearance of the Chinese Super League referee team undoubtedly shows that the Football Association attaches great importance to this Central League showdown.
In other matches, the Northwest Wolves Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic against Suzhou Dongwu was enforced by Beijing referee Chen Jindong; the match between Zibo Cuju and Xinjiang Tianshan Xuebao was whistled by Tianjin referee Han Lei; the match between Heilongjiang Bingcheng and Jiangxi Beidamen was refereed by Chongqing referee Yan Lifu; the match between Nantong Zhiyun and Beijing Beididamen was enforced by Dalian referee Gao Peng; and the match between Nanjing City and Beijing Beidamen was whistled by Shanghai referee Xu Qiangqiang. The match between Nantong Zhiyun and Beijing North Sports University was officiated by Dalian referee Gao Peng; the match between Nanjing City and Beijing North Sports University was officiated by Shanghai referee Xu Qiangqiang.
The promotion match between Shanghai Jiading Huilong and Guangxi Pingguo Hazhong will be enforced by Hainan referee Zhang Yangfan, while the focus match between Shijiazhuang Kungfu and Qingdao Hainiu will be officiated by Guangzhou referee Gan Shuran, and the match between Sichuan Jiuiu Niu and Beijing Institute of Technology will be enforced by Shanghai referee Cui Yong.
