Chinese Super League champions Shandong Taishan to face Zhejiang FC in 2022 season opener

Defending Chinese Super League (CSL) champions Shandong Taishan will face newly promoted Zhejiang FC in the 2022 season opener on June 3, officials have announced.

The match will follow an opening ceremony in Haikou, one of three city hubs selected to host fixtures for the 2022 season.

The city of Meizhou, in south China’s Guangzhou Province, and Dalian in the northern Liaoning Province, will serve as the other two host cities for fixtures.

Shandong’s game against Zhejiang is set for Wuyuan River Stadium, with a kick-off time of 7.30pm. It is the only match so far announced by CSL officials.

June 3’s kick-off follows a lengthy delay to the start of the 2022 season, which has been hampered by Covid-19 restrictions, quarantines for overseas import players, and questions over whether the CSL could even proceed, given the postponement of several major sporting events.

The build up to June 3 has also proved difficult for the Chinese Football Association, with CSL outfit Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic folding this week because of heavy debt after 26 years in operation.

Dalian Pro, who had initially been relegated last season, have been brought in to fill the gap left by Chongqing in the Haikou division. They will face Changchun Yatai, Guangzhou City, Songshan Longmen FC, Dalian Pro and Zhejiang.

The Meizhou hub will feature Meizhou Hakka, Beijing Guoan, Shenzhen, Cangzhou Mighty Lions, Tianjin Jinmen Tigers and Chengdu Rongcheng.

In Dalian, Shanghai Port, Guangzhou, Hebei, Shanghai Shenhua, Wuhan Three Towns and Wuhan Changjiang will battle it out in the opening stages.