takes a look at all the big Chinese sports news stories so you don’t have to. Lots of stories today, but nothing that really jumps out, is the transfer talk all but over? Not much left in the way of domestic targets (Yang Xu comes to mind, but not a lot of clubs with the money to buy him) and most of the big spenders have their foreign spots wrapped up. If I was a betting man, I’d say we’ll see some interesting news out of Jinan. Anyways, have a great weekend!
–The CFA Super Cup will be played on March 3rd at Tianhe Stadium. Since Guangzhou Evergrande did the double last year, their opponent will be CSL second place side, Jiangsu Sainty.
–SEASON TICKET NEWS: Guangzhou R&F season tickets go on sale at 10:30 am Saturday at Yuexiushan, the price is RMB380 (or get a RMB50 discount if you were a 2012 season ticket holder). Jiangsu Sainty tickets will be sold online this season and will cost RMB500, a 67% increase over last year’s ticket prices. I’ll post the website when I know more.
–33 year old Zhao Junzhe, who holds the record for most games played and has been a senior player for Liaoning since 1999, has announced that he plans on retiring at the end of the 2013 season.
–Beijing Guoan leaves for Cyprus tomorrow, but Zhang Yonghai, Zhu Yifan, Zhao Junzhe, Xu Wu, & Francois not going, let the transfer rumors begin. It’s interesting to note that Guoan’s defense was very weak last season and that four of the five are defenders. With only nine days left before the AFC requires Champions League roster registration, the club has a lot of work to do.
–Hangzhou Greentown’s Japanese manager Okada is trying to sign a Japanese striker, word is it’s Masashi Oguro. Okada shows how much of an optimist he is by saying his first year in China was full of happiness.
–Xu Genbao, chairman of Shanghai Dongya and longtime champion of grassroots football in China, travelled with his team to Barcelona and received the red carpet treatment at the club.
–Man City, Tottenham, and Sunderland head to Hong Kong in July to take part in the 2013 Barclays Asian Trophy, alongside HK club South China. Expect at least one of these teams to make a trip to the mainland as well.
–Guizho Zhicheng striker Fan Yunlong has signed with Gizhou Renhe. The 24 year old Fan captained Zhicheng back into the China League this season and gives the southwest side a local face.
–Can we now stop with the Frank Lampard to China talk? It appears Lamps is very close to following in Beckham’s foot steps and sign with the LA Galaxy.
R&F season ticket holders from last year have already had the chance to reserve their 2013 tickets. Everyone can buy them tomorrow though. Students can also get a reduced rate. Looks like Yuexiushan will be the home ground because its the seating plan of that ground, rather than University City, thats on the R&F website. Some cosmetic work is being done at Yuexiushan and, more importantly, something was happening to the pitch so hopefully it will pass whatever the CFA test is.
Yes, as we reported in Wednesday’s Daily Briefs, we have it on excellent authority 2013 will see a return to Yuexiushan.