Not so much off with a bang, but new Chinese Super League season finally about to get under way
Newly promoted Guizhou Zhicheng entertain fallen former giant Liaoning Whowin in the 2017 domestic opener on Friday
Maybe the Chinese Super League should invest in a new fixture computer, with Friday’s season opener between newly promoted Guizhou Zhicheng and fallen former giant Liaoning Whowin hardly setting the pulses racing following a preseason of mega transfers and the high-prolfie arrivals of Oscar and Carlos Tevez.
But the 2017 season, which is set to run through until the start of November, gets under way at Guiyang Olympic Sports Centre as the home side seek to avoid an instant return to the second tier in their first season in the top flight, having finished second in the League One in 2016.
Guizhou, who have Hong Kong international Festus Baise in their ranks, are among the favourites to go down, having been unable to make any significant signings ahead of the new campaign, instead relying on loan players to bolster their squad.
“Say less and do more, we are down to earth and our biggest ambition is to stay in the Super League at the end of the season,” said Guizhou coach Li Bing.
Guizhou have signed Australia defender Ryan McGowan and former West Ham United, Hull City, Everton and Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic after the Croatian scored 15 goals in League One last season for Beijing Renhe and was linked with a return to Scotland.