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Jonathan White

The 2021 Chinese Super League season kicked off on Tuesday night in Guangzhou where 30,000 fans packed in to watch the local derby, the biggest crowd in China since 2019.
This season is still being played in two bubbles, with eight teams based in Guangzhou and eight in Suzhou for the first round, which ends on May 17.
The Guangzhou bubble features both Guangzhou FC (formerly Guangzhou Evergrande until the new name change policy) and Guangzhou City (formerly Guangzhou R&F), with the local rivals meeting in the season opener. 
Before the match, the CSL trophy was flown into the stadium on a drone in the absence of last season’s champions Jiangsu FC (formerly Jiangsu Suning) who pulled out of the league in the close season. 


The atmosphere in Tianhe Stadium when Guangzhou City made the 1:1 equalizer: around 30,000 tickets were sold for the Guangzhou derby. The first time over 10, 000 spectators attend a football match in China since the Covid-19 outbreak. pic.twitter.com/dq23IP0w2W
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 20, 2021

Fabio Cannavaro’s Guangzhou FC finished runners-up to Jiangsu in December’s two-legged final.
Up to 30,000 fans mixed in the stands, with social distancing measures kept to a minimum.
Chinese Super League 2021 season preview: new names, same old CSL
Fans of other clubs have questioned why the Guangzhou teams get to play what are effectively home games inside the bubble. 
The derby at Guangzhou FC’s Tianhe Stadium finished 2-2. Alan Carvalho opened the scoring for the hosts after seven minutes before an own goal by Yan Dinghao levelled the scores soon afterwards.


The CSL trophy is taken to the Tianhe Stadium through a drone. As Jiangsu FC(Suning), the reigning champion, who are supposed to present the trophy, 'ceased operation', the lady takes the role to hand the trophy to Sun Jianyi, a senior director of Ping An, the CSL title sponsor. pic.twitter.com/QWuec67Ewz
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 20, 2021

Guangzhou FC’s China striker Elkeson had a penalty saved by Han Jiaqi just before half-time and it was level at the break. 
City took the lead early in the second half through Ye Chugui before a late leveller from Wu Shaocong ensured honours were even. 
In the other group, Shandong Taishan (formerly Shandong Luneng) beat Chongqing Lianjiang Athletic (formerly Chongqing Dangdai Lifan). 


Just before the halftime, Guangzhou FC gained a penalty but Elkeson missed it! A big save from Han Jiaqi, Guangzhou city's young goalie. Still 1:1 for the Guangzhou derby pic.twitter.com/H28GnPoWwb
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) April 20, 2021


New signing Leonardo opened the scoring in the second half after coming off the bench.
Guo Tianyu added a second to secure the points for last season’s Chinese FA Cup winners.


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Team bus of CSL leaders Beijing Guoan seized over debt issues, players forced to hire bikes

Fans in China voice anger as club play hours after striker Boupendza’s death

Footballer dead in China after fall from building, Gabon FA says

Chinese Super League

Chinese Super League kicks off in front of 30,000 fans with Guangzhou derby draw

Fans watch the Chinese Super League football match between Guangzhou FC and Guangzhou City. Photo: AFP

Chinese Super League 2021 season preview: new names, same old CSL

Jiangsu Suning’s Alex Teixeira (left) and Eder celebrate after winning the 2020 Chinese Super League final. The team left the CSL ahead of the 2021 season. Photo: AFP

Chinese Super League: Guangzhou and Suzhou to host competition’s opening rounds

Guangzhou will host half of the matches in the coming Chinese Super League season. Photo: SCMP/Jonathan White

Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu out of new season, CFA confirms

Jiangsu Suning players and staff pose with the 2020 Chinese Super League trophy. Photo: AFP

Jiangsu Suning players celebrate winning the Chinese Super League after beating Guangzhou Evergrande in the final of the 2020 season last November. Photo: Xinhua

Wayne Rooney snubbed Chinese Super League cash but big money days are over

An England fan wearing a Wayne Rooney shirt before the team played Lithuania in Fifa World Cup qualifying at Wembley in 2017. Photo: Reuters

Jul 2, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; DC United forward Wayne Rooney smiles while speaking at his introduction press conference at Newseum. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 15, 2018 England's striker Wayne Rooney gestures to United States' goalkeeper Brad Guzan after the final whistle during the international friendly football match between England and the United States at Wembley stadium in north London. - Former England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney was arrested last month for being drunk and swearing in public and paid a $25 fine January 4, 2019, according to multiple reports on January 6, 2018.Court records obtained by Washington ABC 7 News and The Athletic showed that Rooney was arrested in Loudon County, Virginia, on December 16 for cursing and intoxication, a misdemeanor for which he was released from custody on his own recognizance before paying the fine and court costs on Friday. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

‘No big names’ in 2021 Chinese Super League warns Dusko Tosic

Hulk, Oscar and Elkeson pictured among Shanghai SIPG players celebrating an AFC Champions League goal in 2017. Photo: AFP

Sport

China


Guangzhou derby between FC and City ends 2-2 as China striker Elkeson sees first-half penalty saved 
Shandong Taishan get off to winning start over Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic in Suzhou bubble 



Guangzhou derby between FC and City ends 2-2 as China striker Elkeson sees first-half penalty saved in front of biggest crowd since Covid-19 pandemic began.


Chinese Football Association (CFA)