July 13th, Beijing time zone, with only two days left before the second phase of the Chinese Super League (CSL) begins, CSL officials have finally revealed the arrangements and venues for the next nine rounds of matches. Guangzhou and Suzhou are the two regions where high temperatures and a heat wave of around 35 degrees Celsius will make the teams face a "hellish" schedule.
Tight schedule, four games in one day
The Chinese Super League had to adjust its schedule during the national soccer team's participation in the 12-team tournament. From the original plan of 30 rounds reduced to 22 rounds, the use of group double round robin, and then the title contenders and relegation group of eight teams each of the second double round robin matches, to 22 rounds of total points to determine the ranking.
In the past, the Chinese Super League (CSL) schedule required four match days for each round of eight matches, with kickoffs at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. each night, ensuring that each match had a separate time, making it easier for spectators to watch and increasing team exposure. Teams usually play five days a piece, and the schedule is relatively relaxed. With the new schedule, each round is compressed to 2 days, with 4 games per day, and teams play an average of one game every 3 days.
Teams with a fifth-round bye face the most intensive schedules, with Guangzhou, for example, having to play 10 games in 28 days.
Suzhou tournament adjusted, Olympic Sports Center outfield opened
The second phase of the Chinese Super League is still scheduled to be played in Guangzhou and Suzhou. The four stadiums in Guangzhou are Tianhe Stadium, Yuexiushan Stadium, University City Stadium and Huadu Stadium. The Huadu Stadium, which was affected by waterlogging, underwent comprehensive repairs during the off-season and is now up to standard.
In Suzhou, venue adjustments were made. Due to the need for maintenance, the Gusu City Sports Center was unable to host this phase of the competition; the inner turf of the Gusu Olympic Sports Center was severely damaged and required full maintenance. After many considerations, the Gusu Olympic Sports Center outfield was identified as the new venue, and the other two venues remained unchanged, still Jiangyin Sports Center and Kunshan Sports Center.
Players face tough test as heat, humidity
This phase of the schedule will be a huge test for the players, with an intimidating schedule of three games in three days and nine games in a month, not to mention the heat of the summer.
July is the month with the highest average temperature in Guangzhou, the maximum temperature is usually around 35℃ and the relative humidity is over 75%, which means that the Guangzhou race will face a hot and humid environment. In Suzhou, which has just emerged from the plum, the temperature is as high as 38°C. The match will be held at 4:30 p.m., making the hot and humid environment a cause for concern.
With such a harsh playing environment, it is difficult to expect quality fixtures at this stage of the Chinese Super League; injuries to players could also be concentrated.
Olympics "crash", attention is greatly reduced
July 23, delayed by a year, the Tokyo Olympics is about to open. The intensive schedule of the Chinese Super League and the Olympic Games "collision", the level of attention is self-evident.
At this stage, the Chinese Super League still has a number of key battles, such as the Guangzhou Derby, Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Shenhua, etc. However, under the influence of the Olympic Games, the attractiveness of other matches will be greatly reduced. However, under the influence of the Olympic Games, the attractiveness of other games will be greatly reduced, coupled with the tournament system of competition, most teams lack of home atmosphere, may become "no one applauded" the norm.
