The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has announced the winners of the domestic league, the China League One (CL1), and the China League Two (CL2). The Shenhua Dragons won consecutive victories to claim the title for the first time in their history.
The CFA introduced the CL1 and CL2 leagues in 2018, with the intention of increasing the number of teams in each league. The new leagues have seen several changes, including a reduction in the number of teams in each division, as well as a move towards more competitive play.
The CL1 and CL2 leagues were initially announced in March 2019, but the CFA delayed the start of the season until June 2019 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This delay allowed clubs to prepare for the season without the added pressure of competing against other teams.
In the first round of matches, clubs from the CL1 and CL2 divisions faced off, with some of the top teams from these divisions facing off against the lower-level teams. The competition was intense and resulted in many memorable moments, with both sides showcasing their skills and determination on the pitch.
After the first round, the top four teams from each division advanced to the second round of the competition. In this round, the teams played each other twice, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, the top two teams from each division met again, with the winner advancing to the final.
In the final, the top team from each division faced off against the third-placed team from each division, with the winner advancing to the cup final. In the cup final, the top two teams from each division met again, with the winner advancing to the title game.
In the title game, the top team from each division faced off against each other, with the winner advancing to the final. In the final, the top team from each division faced off against each other, with the winner advancing to the title game.
Overall, the CL1 and CL2 leagues have been successful in increasing the number of teams in each league and providing exciting and competitive football for fans. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly in terms of the quality of play and the level of competition between teams.