Chinese National Football League leaders Shenzhen Jianlibao are beginning to realise the benefits of being at the top of their game as they prepare for tomorrow's match at Chongqing Lifan. Delighted Shenzhen officials, who last month presented an 'Excellent Youth' award to captain Li Weifeng, have been lavishing more than just praise on the players. The municipal government is also giving preference to both the players and their family members in obtaining local residence permits and most important of all, have promised the team a one million yuan bonus if they make it all the way to the top. 'Players with no ambition are not good players,' said the club's general manager, Zhang Jian. But with rumours of an additional two million yuan championship bonus from sponsors Jianlibao, it seems players without ambition are also not good businessmen. 'This is a great opportunity for Shenzhen to seize the championship,' said Zeng Xuelin, a former national team coach and Shenzhen resident. 'If they miss, they'll regret it for years.' But it seems losing is a million miles away from the minds of the Shenzhen players who are looking relaxed and confident under coach Zhu Guanghu. Team members were allowed to attend two commercial promotions during the week and were also spotted taking a stroll in the park. 'The coaches think it's important to be relaxed psychologically for the match,' said one player. 'At this stage, I think it's more important even than intense training.' However, second-placed Shanghai Shenhua are hot on the heels of the Shenzhen team and have warned their rivals it is too early to start treating the championship like money in the bank. The Shenhua team, who have been at a three-day training camp in preparation for tomorrow's match at Tianjin, have their problems, with coach Wu Jingui missing at least three men for the game. Defenders Bian Jun and Li Chengming and midfielder Sun Xiang are all banned after clocking up three yellow cards. Despite pressure to aim for bigger things - an impending run of three top-of-the-table clashes - Inter Shanghai remain focused on today's match at home to bottom club Shaanxi. 'If we don't lose in the three matches against Shenzhen, Dalian and Shenhua, maybe there is a chance that we will be the number one,' said the team's coach, Cheng Yaodong. 'But right now all we are thinking about is how to defeat the other team in the next round.' Inter are level with Shenhua on points but trail on goal difference. This weekend's matches, in which the top three teams face weaker opposition, should set the stage for an exciting next round. Major upsets aside, the real competition will begin next Wednesday when Shenzhen face Inter in Guangdong.
