The third round of the CFA Cup is upon us and now we’ll get to see the Chinese Super League sides enter the competition. So far, the competition has yet to see many upsets, though Yi League sides Dali Ruilong and Wuhan Hongxing did manage to get past struggling 2nd division sides Chengdu Blades and Yanbian FC, respectively. Foreigners aren’t allowed to participate in the Yi League and, due to a quirky CFA rule that says that clubs in higher divisions can’t use their foreigners in matches against teams in divisions which don’t allow foreigners, Shanghai Shenhua and Hangzhou Greentown will be fielding a full side of locals next week. Fortunately for Shenhua fans, they won’t have to travel to Anhui to watch the match. If you’re looking for a match with some excitement, there’s a local derby in Shenyang, where Shenbei’s new manager, LiaoZu legend Li Jinyu, will take on the club where he got his playing start, Liaoning.
Here’s the complete schedule for Round 3:
Tuesday, May 21
Guangzhou R&F – Chongqing FC, 19:30
Dalian Aerbin – Tianjin Songjiang, 19:00
Wednesday, May 22
Liaoning Whowin – Shenyang Shenbei, 15:00
Changchun Yatai – Henan Construction, 15:30
Shanghai Shenxin – Hunan Billows, 15:30
Qingdao Jonoon – Harbin Yiteng, 15:30
Tianjin Teda – Shenzhen Ruby, 19:30
Wuhan Zall – Guangdong Sunray Cave, 19:30
Shandong Luneng – Shijiazhuang Smart Hero, 19:35
Hangzhou Greentown – Wuhan Hongxing, 19:35
Shanghai Shenhua – Dali Ruilong, 19:45
Shanghai East Asia – Chongqing Lifan, 19:45
Wuhan Hongxing is a non-League side from the Vision China Championship and not from CL2.