Only in the CSL… 1

This is Part 1 in a series that is sure to have many parts as the season goes on, the unique, some would say crazy, nature of Chinese football almost guarantees it.  As much as we love Chinese football, sometimes decisions lead to a state of befuddlement you just can’t help, at those times, we throw up our arms and wonder if we should laugh or cry, well, we post on it…

Much has been made of the horrible condition that the Worker’s Stadium, or Gongti, pitch is in.  For a club with title aspirations and the money to support them, it dosen’t make much sense that they shell out so much for their squad, but don’t give them decent conditions to play in.

A Northern China winter is a harsh experience and Beijing’s climate is very dry, not the best conditions for grass.  Of course, this being China, things like underground heating and pitch covers have yet to become essentials for grounds crews here.  Therefore, each year when the season starts up at the end of March or early April, the Gongti pitch is never really in good shape.  Add to that a lack of rain and a massive concert (for which fans were allowed on the uncovered pitch), and you get a horrible playing surface.

With that in mind, it makes a lot of sense to work on it or put in new grass.  I’m definitely all for that, especially as it should help our Capital boys.  Considering the next game at Worker’s Stadium after Guoan’s league match on May 30th is June 18th, it wouldn’t seem to hurt if they waited until after the match on the 30th.

Well, this being China, they decided to do it as a rush job, work started a few days ago and they’ve been working around the clock to get it ready for Wednesday’s FA Cup match.  That’s great, and it would make a lot of sense, except for the fact THERE’S ANOTHER CONCERT SATURDAY NIGHT!  Spend all that money to fix the pitch and then let pop tart Cai Yilin and her screaming teenage fans destroy it.

Congratulations to Beijing Guoan, you’re the first to be awarded the “Only in the Chinese Super League” award.