While the Chinese Super League doesn’t begin until this weekend, those looking to satisfy their football craving now that the World Cup is over can revel in another cup competition, the Chinese FA Cup. The third round begins continues today with a full slate of matches. With a change to the format this season seeing the higher ranked side travel to the lower ranked one, a number of CSL clubs find themselves in unfamiliar locales. The change led to a number of China League sides getting knocked off in the previous round, will we see a cinderella semi-pro or Yi league side take down a CSL side?
Guangzhou R&F already got things started on the right foot for CSL sides, defeating Guizhou Zhicheng 3-1 over the weekend. Today sees nine matches being played:
Shenyang Zhongze v. Beijing Guoan
Qingdao Hainiu v. Tianjin Teda
Yanbian FC v. Dalian Aerbin
Chongqing Lifan v. Shanghai Shenhua
Meizhou v. Shanghai Shenxin
Guangzhou Sunray Cave v. Guangzhou Evergrande
Hunan Billows v. Jiangsu Sainty
B.I.T v. Hangzhou Greentown
Tianjin Songjiang v. Guizhou Renhe
Shenzhen Ruby v. Shandong Luneng
There are sure to be some surprises among these matches, with the Hunan-Jiangsu, B.I.T-Hangzhou, and Chongqing-Shanghai standing out as possible places to look for some upsets to CSL clubs.
Another five matches tomorrow further minimizes the footie withdrawals, with arguably even more chances for upset as lower league sides take on some weaker CSL sides:
Qingdao Jonoon v. Changchun Yatai
Suzhou v. Liaoning Whowin
Lijiang v. Harbin Yiteng
Wuhan Hongxing v. Shanghai East Asia
Hangzhou Zhipu v. Henan Construction
Here’s hoping for some exciting matches.
