Chinese league evolves with boiling derbies
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E-mail Xinhua, March 19, 2012
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Nicolas Anelka of Shenhua celebrates his first goal with teamates in the Chinese Super League match between Shanghai Shenhua and Beijing Guoan on March 16, 2012. |
Nicolas Anelka's debut goal, defending champions' defeat and fans' intense rivalry -- this could be the one of the biggest weekends for the soccer league in the world's most populous country.
With three derbies progressing full of goals, collisions and sensational moments in a single round at this weekend, the Chinese Super League (CSL) is leaping to a new era.
Having won eight top league titles, Dalian Shide have been considered as the most successful team in the Chinese professional league, but for the northeast Dalian city, it was the first ever derby in history.
The latest kicking-off match saw a six-goal thriller between Dalian Shide and Dalian Aerbin on Sunday. It was 90 minutes of trailing and overtaking, ending with a score of 3-3.
"It is one of the most fantastic Chinese league games I've seen in my career," a Chinese national TV commentator cried out for the late equalizing goal.
Two days ago, the match between Beijing and Shanghai was stamped by the mark of "national derby" because the two cities have witnessed the most thrilling part of China's professional soccer history, including the most lopsided scoreline of 9-1 in 1997.
Nicolas Anelka added weight to the game as the former Chelsea striker who joined Shanghai side last November set this match as his CSL debut.
Over 50,000 fans poured into the stadium to witness the country's highest-profile player's first appearance on Friday night.
They were not disappointed as the French striker equalized for Shanghai with his debut goal before Beijing finished off 3-2.
"A big, big moment for the Chinese league. For the first time, a world top star appears," a Beijing newspaper commented.
Five days ago, last year's runners-up Beijing suffered a bitter 3-1 defeat against Guangzhou R&F, who were just promoted to the top fight. The R&F side yet again shocked the soccer world by upsetting last year's champions and city rivals Guangzhou Evergrande, who were believed as one of the strongest across Asia since they destroyed K-league champions Jeonbuk with a stunning 5-1 win last week.
It has been 14 years for Guangzhou to embrace its first derby match since 1998, when the two teams combined a league-record five red cards and nine yellows.
With six yellow cards in the first 45 minutes, the two sides certainly didn't cool down.
Neither did the fans, who were making an even drastic collision inside and outside the stadium.
As the match just kicked off, fans for Guangzhou Evergrande hang out a banner saying "There is only one Guangzhou team", which triggered the anger of R&F supporters. Even some physical confrontations were made.
"From today on, Guangzhou will never mean simply Guangzhou Evergrande. We are another Guangzhou team," said Zhang Li, the owner of Guangzhou R&F club.
Quarrels have lasted for days between fans, even players and top officials from the two clubs.
"The story behind a derby is usually formed by years of rivalry, both from the two teams and their fans. It's hard for people in a country with a culture of harmony and peace to accept that, although it is part of the soccer game. But they are beginning to learn from today, " said Guangzhou-based sports writer Petter Tang.
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