Latest news with #ChineseSuperLeague
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
China sacks coach Branko Ivankovic after failure to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026
China's football association on Friday said it has sacked national coach Branko Ivankovic after the country failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The decision followed a series of setbacks in qualifying for China, which has only ever played once in a World Cup. China lost 1-0 to Indonesia in early June, a result that effectively dashed the national team's hopes of qualifying. It ultimately finished second-to-last in its Asian group, with seven defeats in 10 matches. 'As the Chinese men's national team failed to qualify for the play-off stage, the contract of the coach and his staff has been automatically terminated, in accordance with the stipulated terms,' the Chinese Football Association said in a statement Friday. ALSO READ | What is ailing the Chinese Super League? History, issues and the way forward 'Branko Ivankovic will no longer lead the national team,' it said, thanking the Croatian, who has coached Dinamo Zagreb and Iran, for his 'hard work'. The Serbian coach of the Chinese U-19 men's national team, Dejan Djurdjevic, has been appointed interim national coach, the CFA said. The Chinese team is ranked 94th in the world by FIFA, continuing a downward slide that began several years ago. The side has long been the target of ridicule by Chinese fans due to its poor results and the multiple corruption scandals plaguing the sport. President Xi Jinping has said he wanted China to win the World Cup one day, but the latest flop means it has only ever played there once, in 2002, when it failed to get a point or score a goal.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool agree £116m deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz was an integral part of the Bayer Leverkusen team that won the German domestic double in 2024 under Liverpool great Xabi Alonso. Florian Wirtz was an integral part of the Bayer Leverkusen team that won the German domestic double in 2024 under Liverpool great Xabi Alonso. Photograph: Jörg Schüler/BayerLiverpool have agreed a club-record deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The Premier League champions will pay a guaranteed £100m for the coveted Germany international, plus potential add-ons of £16m that would make Wirtz the most expensive British transfer of all time. Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, has been engaged in negotiations for the attacking midfielder for several weeks and a deal was finally struck on Friday morning. Leverkusen had wanted €150m for the 22-year-old, who had also attracted interest from Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid but made it clear to the German club that Anfield was his preferred destination. He will undergo a medical and finalise the transfer in the coming days. Personal terms have already been agreed. Advertisement Liverpool made it clear throughout negotiations that they would not meet Leverkusen's asking price but, after settling on a guaranteed £100m, the past few days have centred on the extent and the structure of the add-ons. Wirtz will become a British record signing, eclipsing Chelsea's £115m purchase of Moises Caicedo, if sustained success at the highest level activates the extra £16m. Meanwhile, the former Arsenal midfielder and Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is set to join Arne Slot's backroom staff as a replacement for John Heitinga. Van Bronckhorst has been out of work since being sacked by Besiktas in November and has extensive coaching experience with Feyenoord, Slot's former club, the Chinese Super League side Guangzhou and Rangers, whom he led to the 2022 Europa League final. The 50-year-old was sacked by Rangers later that year after a poor start to the 2022-23 campaign. Heitinga was appointed head coach of Ajax last month on a two-year contract.
RTHK
05-06-2025
- Sport
- RTHK
World Cup hopes on the line for China in Jakarta
World Cup hopes on the line for China in Jakarta China's head coach Branko Ivankovic at a training session ahead of his side's clash with Indonesia. Photo: AFP Asian qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup are set to resume on Thursday with China facing Indonesia in a pivotal away match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. According to tournament rules, only the top two in each six-team group advance directly to the World Cup – while the third and fourth-placed teams enter the playoffs. With two matches remaining, Indonesia sits fourth in Group C with nine points while China is level with Bahrain at the bottom on six points. Indonesia hold a three-point lead over China and a seven-goal edge in goal difference. A home win would all but guarantee Indonesia a top-four finish. For China, there is only one way to keep their World Cup hopes alive – win on Indonesian soil. So far, only Japan has managed a win in Jakarta during this qualifying campaign. Indonesia, fueled by passionate home support from around 80,000 fans, has turned its capital into a fortress – beating Saudi Arabia 2-0, edging Bahrain 1-0 and holding Australia to a 0-0 draw. On a humid Jakarta night in front of a raucous crowd – and an energetic Indonesian side bolstered by naturalised talent – the pressure awaiting China is immense. "The first step to reaching the playoffs is winning this match. This demands that we play attacking football, with every player giving their all in running and effort," said head coach Branko Ivankovic, who expressed confidence that his players could transform pressure into motivation. Ivankovic will have to contend with key absences – striker Wu Lei is sidelined with injury, while attacking midfielders Lin Liangming and Xie Wenneng are suspended. As a result, Zhang Yuning and Wei Shihao will bear much of the attacking burden. Fans will be eager to see 18-year-old Wang Yudong, who has impressed in the Chinese Super League, potentially earn his first national team start. His energy and pace could inject much-needed dynamism. The midfield performances of naturalised players Serginho and Yang Mingyang will also be vital. "This is a battle for survival," Zhang emphasised. "Victory is the only option – there's no room for retreat." He added that, as the away side, China must turn pressure into momentum and showcase the results of training and unity as a team. "We focused on key techniques like offense, defence and set-pieces," the midfielder said. "We've performed well, but in matches, we must be able to adapt flexibly to on-the-spot situations." Though the task is daunting, it is not beyond reach. In their previous Group C meeting with Indonesia, China – then mired in a three-match losing streak – came out aggressively, scoring twice in the first half before holding on for a 2-1 win. (Xinhua)
South China Morning Post
05-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong star aims to use Chinese Super League lessons in valuable Nepal test
Sun Ming-him said the Chinese Super League (CSL) had taught him 'how to deal with the psychological side of football', as he looked forward to a crucial week for the Hong Kong team. Advertisement Left-back Sun quickly became a regular starter for Cangzhou Mighty Lions after his transfer from Eastern in February 2024. The 24-year-old's career was temporarily thrown up in the air, however, when Cangzhou's financial issues saw them slung out of the Chinese leagues for 2025. Sun had sufficiently impressed in his debut campaign that he was snapped up by Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, who now sit sixth in the CSL standings. 'I had to start again from the beginning, to know my position in the team and how I could help,' Sun said. 'I needed to adapt to a new environment, and a new coach and teammates. They've all helped me, I'm so thankful for the chance, and I'm also grateful to Cangzhou for taking me to the CSL.' Sun gets ready to deliver a cross during Hong Kong's victory over the Philippines last November. Photo: Edmond So Already capped 34 times by Hong Kong, and an instrumental figure in the under-23s' 2023 Asian Games semi-final run, Sun was a flagbearer for the city's footballers when he moved across the border soon after last year's AFC Asian Cup finals.
AllAfrica
27-05-2025
- Sport
- AllAfrica
African pro soccer footballers have improved the sport in China
Relations between China and Africa are increasingly important in understanding the dynamics that shape our world. But until now, the role of sport was overlooked. A new book, Global China and the Global Game in Africa , explores the role of football in relations between China and Africa – culturally, politically and economically. Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu chatted with The Conversation about his chapter in the book. It's a study of African football migration, how players fare in the popular China Super League and what their experiences of the country are. A growing number of African male football players moved abroad to play professionally after the Bosman ruling in 1995. This European Court of Justice decision related to freedom of movement for workers. It triggered sports migration around the globe, and African players were major beneficiaries. Historically, aspiring African professional footballers mostly looked for opportunities in Europe. Leagues in France, England, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Portugal were popular because of their colonial ties to Africa. They offered established footballing structures and higher wages. The Middle East, the US and south-east Asia also became options. However, China's sustained economic growth over the last three decades has contributed to an intense and multifaceted global engagement that includes the game of football. The Chinese Super League (CSL) began to invest heavily in attracting international talent. It became a viable and often lucrative alternative for African players. This coincided with China's growing economic influence in Africa. African players are sought after for their athleticism and speed. And often they make lower transfer fee and wage demands than players from Europe or South America. Between 2006 and 2023, over 141 African players played in the Chinese Super League. They came from west Africa (59.57%), central Africa (19.5 %), southern Africa (10.64%), north Africa (8.51%) and east Africa (2.13%). Research shows that these players have generally performed well, often making significant contributions to their teams. Match statistics indicate that many African strikers and attacking midfielders have been key playmakers. Many have emerged as top scorers in the league. Their physical attributes often give African footballers an edge, and many have quickly adapted to the playing style in China. Chinese players, often lacking international exposure, and constrained athletically, tend to rely on technical finesse. Migrant players bring athleticism, cosmopolitan technical-tactical awareness and levels of intensity that make the league more exciting. African players are enriching the Chinese game significantly, just as they have done to the European game. They've increased the number of tactical choices and game plans for Chinese teams and, in the process, upped the quality of the league. Of course, performance can vary greatly depending on individual players, team tactics, and the overall level of competition in the league at different periods. Players' experiences in the CSL vary. Many report positive experiences when it comes to the financial rewards and the opportunity to play professional football at a high level. But cultural and linguistic barriers can present challenges. African players must adapt to Chinese food and social customs. Language and communication within the team can take time and effort. Some players have also reported issues of racism or feeling isolated because of these cultural differences and the transient nature of their contracts. Some feel lonely. Research on African football migration generally highlights that the social and cultural integration process is crucial for the overall well-being and success of African players abroad. Sport, particularly football with its global appeal and professional structures, is a significant avenue for transnational movement. FIFA, as the global governing body of football, facilitates this movement through regulations and transfer systems. It's the mission of FIFA to establish and grow the game of football into a truly global sport. This, however, continues to be undermined by the enduring global inequalities and disparities that shape the world. For many African men, professional football represents a pathway to economic advancement and social mobility. These opportunities are often limited in their home countries due to economic constraints or lack of well-developed professional leagues. So, migration to leagues like the Chinese Super League is driven by both push factors (limited opportunities at home) and pull factors (better financial rewards and professional experiences abroad). The presence and performance of African players in the Chinese Super League can contribute to China's soft power and image in Africa. Seeing African athletes succeed in China can foster a sense of connection and goodwill between the two regions. It showcases China as a global player in the world of football and can be interpreted as a sign of growing ties and mutual engagement beyond economic and political spheres. Apart from being players, African footballers act as cultural ambassadors for their respective countries and the African continent. At the level of people-to-people exchange, African players interact with their Chinese teammates, fans and communities. This enhances and sustains cultural exchange and understanding. However, it's my considered opinion that, unlike the western countries where many former players settle and raise families, many Africans in China seem not to see it as being a friendly place to settle down. Even so, the presence of African players in China is helping to develop a greater familiarity and affinity between the people of China and Africa, with the promise of lasting influence socially, economically and culturally. Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu is a professor and the chair of kinesiology and health science at Stephen F. Austin State University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
