The 2020 China League One (Chinese: 2020中国足球协会甲级联赛) was the 17th season of the China League One, the second tier of the Chinese football league pyramid, since its establishment in 2004. The season was scheduled to begin on 29 February and end on 1 November,[1] but was postponed following the COVID-19 pandemic in China.[2] On 26 August 2020, Chinese Football Association announced that the season would be resumed on 12 September 2020 and 18 teams would be split into three groups in three locations, Group A in Chengdu, hosted by Chengdu Better City, Group B in Meizhou, hosted by Meizhou Hakka, and Group C in Changzhou, hosted by Kunshan F.C.[3]
| Season | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 12 September – 8 November 2020 |
| Champions | Changchun Yatai (2nd title) |
| Promoted | Changchun Yatai |
| Matches played | 141 |
| Goals scored | 323 (2.29 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Tan Long (11 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Zhejiang Energy Greentown 4–0 Jiangxi Liansheng (16 September 2020) Changchun Yatai 4–0 Nantong Zhiyun (8 October 2020) Beijing BSU 4–0 Suzhou Dongwu (15 October 2020) |
| Biggest away win | Jiangxi Liansheng 0–4 Meizhou Hakka (20 September 2020) Liaoning Shenyang Urban 1–5 Zhejiang Energy Greentown (15 October 2020) |
| Highest scoring | Liaoning Shenyang Urban 1–5 Zhejiang Energy Greentown (15 October 2020) Meizhou Hakka 4–2 Zhejiang Energy Greentown (29 October 2020) Nantong Zhiyun 3–3 Jiangxi Liansheng (8 November 2020) |
| Longest winning run | 5 matches Chengdu Better City |
| Longest unbeaten run | 11 matches Changchun Yatai |
| Longest winless run | 15 matches Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard |
| Longest losing run | 5 matches Jiangxi Liansheng |
← 2019 2021 → | |
In this season, the number of teams are expanded from 16 to 18.[4]
Changchun Yatai won the league for the second time, their first since 2003.
Teams edit
Team changes edit
To League One editTeams relegated from 2019 Chinese Super League Teams promoted from 2019 China League Two |
From League One editTeams promoted to 2020 Chinese Super League Dissolved entries
|
Name changes edit
- Shenyang Urban F.C. changed their name to Liaoning Shenyang Urban F.C. in April 2020.[6]
- Zhejiang Greentown F.C. changed their name to Zhejiang Energy Greentown F.C. in September 2020.[7]
Clubs edit
Stadiums and locations edit
Clubs locations edit
Managerial changes edit
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changchun Yatai |  Svetozar Šapurić
|
Sacked | 3 November 2019 | Pre-season |  Samvel Babayan
|
2 December 2019 |
| Meizhou Hakka |  Zheng Xiaotian
|
Signed by Beijing Sinobo Guoan | 6 November 2019 |  Marcelo Rospide
|
20 December 2019 | |
| Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic | Wang Bo
|
Signed by Beijing Renhe | 10 November 2019 |  Kim Bong-gil
|
16 December 2019 | |
| Guizhou Hengfeng | Chen Mao
|
Mutual consent | 26 November 2019 | Wang Xinxin
|
26 November 2019 | |
| Nantong Zhiyun |  Gary White
|
Mutual consent | 31 March 2020 | Xie Hui
|
31 March 2020 | |
| Sichuan Jiuniu | Wang Hongwei
|
Mutual consent | 18 May 2020 | Li Yi
|
22 July 2020 | |
| Inner Mongolia Zhongyou | Chen Yang
|
Mutual consent | 25 August 2020 | Choi Jin-han
|
1 September 2020 | |
| Changchun Yatai | Samvel Babayan
|
Sacked | 5 October 2020 | Group C, 2nd | Chen Yang
|
5 October 2020 |
| Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard |  Fernando
|
Sacked | 10 October 2020 | Group C, 6th | Polat Kutulk (caretaker)
|
12 October 2020 |
| Guizhou Hengfeng | Wang Xinxin
|
Mutual consent | 13 October 2020 | Group B, 5th | Chen Mao
|
13 October 2020 |
| Suzhou Dongwu | Liu Junwei
|
Sacked | 18 October 2020 | Group A, 5th | Gary White
|
24 October 2020 |
Foreign players edit
The policy of foreign players was changed. The number of foreign players clubs can register over the course of the season is limited to four and the number of foreign players allowed on each team at any given time is increased from three to four. A maximum of three foreign players can be registered for each match with a maximum of two can be fielded at any time during the match. In addition, each club can register a Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan player of Chinese descent (excluding goalkeepers), provided that he registered as a professional footballer in one of those three association for the first time, as a native player.
- Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
- ^1 For Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwanese players, if they are non-naturalized and were registered as professional footballers in Hong Kong's, Macau's, or Chinese Taipei's football association for the first time, they are recognized as native players. Otherwise they are recognized as foreign players.
Regular season edit
Group A edit
Stadiums edit
- Chengdu Longquanyi Football Stadium
- Chengdu Wenjiang Football Base
- Shuangliu Sports Centre
- Dujiangyan Phoenix Stadium (Reserve)
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chengdu Better City (H) | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 7 | +8 | 25 | Qualification for Promotion stage and qualification to the 2020 Chinese FA Cup |
| 2 | Taizhou Yuanda | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 8 | +5 | 18 | |
| 3 | Beijing Renhe | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 12 | +2 | 16 | Qualification for Relegation stage Group E |
| 4 | Beijing BSU | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 11 | |
| 5 | Suzhou Dongwu | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 15 | −8 | 7[a] | Qualification for Relegation stage Group F |
| 6 | Inner Mongolia Zhongyou | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 12 | −7 | 7[a] |
Rules for classification:
- During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
- After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.
(H) Hosts
Notes:
Results edit
Positions by round edit
To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.
| Qualification to Promotion stage | |
| Qualification to Relegation stage |
Results by match played edit
Group B edit
Stadiums edit
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meizhou Hakka (H) | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 20 | 9 | +11 | 22 | Qualification for Promotion stage and qualification to the 2020 Chinese FA Cup |
| 2 | Zhejiang Energy Greentown | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 8 | +11 | 19 | |
| 3 | Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 10 | +1 | 15 | Qualification for Relegation stage Group F |
| 4 | Guizhou Hengfeng | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 12 | −3 | 10 | Qualification for Relegation stage Group E |
| 5 | Liaoning Shenyang Urban | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 14 | −5 | 9 | |
| 6 | Jiangxi Liansheng | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 21 | −15 | 5 | Qualification for Relegation stage Group F |
Rules for classification:
- During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
- After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.
(H) Hosts
Results edit
Positions by round edit
To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.
| Qualification to Promotion stage | |
| Qualification to Relegation stage |
Results by match played edit
Group C edit
Stadiums edit
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Changchun Yatai | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 7 | +13 | 21 | Qualification for Promotion stage and qualification to the 2020 Chinese FA Cup |
| 2 | Kunshan F.C. (H) | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 18 | |
| 3 | Nantong Zhiyun | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 16 | Qualification for Relegation stage Group F |
| 4 | Heilongjiang Lava Spring | 10 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 10 | |
| 5 | Sichuan Jiuniu | 10 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 12 | −4 | 9 | Qualification for Relegation stage Group E |
| 6 | Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 16 | −11 | 3 |
Rules for classification:
- During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
- After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.
(H) Hosts
Results edit
Positions by round edit
To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.
| Qualification to Promotion stage | |
| Qualification to Relegation stage |
Results by match played edit
Promotion stage edit
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Changchun Yatai (C, P) | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 13 | Promotion to the Chinese Super League |
| 2 | Zhejiang Energy Greentown | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 10 | Qualification to the promotion play-offs |
| 3 | Kunshan F.C. | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 7 | |
| 4 | Chengdu Better City | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 7 | |
| 5 | Meizhou Hakka | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | |
| 6 | Taizhou Yuanda[a] (D) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 11 | −8 | 0 | Disbanded after season |
Rules for classification:
- During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
- After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.
(C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted
Notes:
Results edit
Positions by round edit
To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.
| Leader and promotion to the Chinese Super League | |
| Qualification to the promotion play-offs |
Results by match played edit
Relegation stage edit
Group E edit
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guizhou Hengfeng | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 12 | Qualification to the 2020 Chinese FA Cup |
| 2 | Beijing BSU | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 8 | |
| 3 | Sichuan Jiuniu | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 8 | |
| 4 | Liaoning Shenyang Urban | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 5 | |
| 5 | Beijing Renhe[a] (R, D, R) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 | −6 | 4 | Qualification to the relegation play-offs and disbanded after season |
| 6 | Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard (O) | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 | 3 | Qualification to the relegation play-offs |
Rules for classification:
- During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
- After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.
(D) Disqualified; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ Beijing Renhe was dissolved after 2020 season.
Results edit
Positions by round edit
To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.
| Qualification to the relegation play-offs |
Results by match played edit
Group F edit
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzhou Dongwu | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 | Qualification to the 2020 Chinese FA Cup |
| 2 | Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6[a] | |
| 3 | Nantong Zhiyun | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6[a] | |
| 4 | Inner Mongolia Zhongyou[b] (D, R, R, R, R) | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 6[a] | Disbanded after season |
| 5 | Heilongjiang Lava Spring (O) | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Qualification to the relegation play-offs |
| 6 | Jiangxi Liansheng (O) | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 9 | −1 | 4 |
Rules for classification:
- During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
- After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.
(D) Disqualified; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Results edit
Positions by round edit
To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.
| Qualification to the relegation play-offs |
Results by match played edit
Relegation play-offs edit
Overview edit
| Team 1 | Agg. | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard | 4–4 (3–5 p) | Heilongjiang Lava Spring | 3–2 | 1–2 (a.e.t.) |
| Jiangxi Liansheng | 3–2 | Beijing Renhe | 2–1 | 1–1 |
First leg edit
| Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard | 3–2 | Heilongjiang Lava Spring |
|---|---|---|
|
| Jiangxi Liansheng | 2–1 | Beijing Renhe |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Second leg edit
| Heilongjiang Lava Spring | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard |
|---|---|---|
|
||
| Penalties | ||
| 5–3 | ||
4–4 on aggregate. Heilongjiang Lava Spring won 5–3 on penalties.
| Beijing Renhe | 1–1 | Jiangxi Liansheng |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Jiangxi Liansheng won 3–2 on aggregate.
Statistics edit
Top scorers edit
- As of 21 November 2020
Hat-tricks edit
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Long |
Changchun Yatai | Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard | 4–1 (H) | 3 October 2020 | |
| Nantong Zhiyun | 4–0 (H) | 8 October 2020 |
League attendance edit
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2022) |
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ "中甲2020赛季赛程：2月29日开战，11月1日收官". Dongqiudi (in Chinese). 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
- ^ "中国足协关于2020赛季国内足球赛事延期开始的公告". Chinese Football Association (in Chinese). 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ^ "2020中国足球协会甲级联赛将于9月12日开赛". Chinese Football Association (in Chinese). 2020-08-26. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
- ^ "中甲改制：2020年扩至18队 U23需两人次+引入VAR". Sina Sports (in Chinese). 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
- ^ a b c "关于对中甲、中乙和中冠联赛俱乐部提交《2019年俱乐部全额支付教练员、运动员、工作人员工资奖金确认表》进行公示的通知". Chinese Football Association (in Chinese). 4 February 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ^ "关于沈阳城市足球俱乐部有限责任公司更名的公告". thecfa.cn (in Chinese). 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
- ^ "关于浙江绿城足球俱乐部有限公司重要股权转让的公示". thecfa.cn (in Chinese). 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
- ^ "关于公布2020赛季中国足球协会三级职业联赛俱乐部参赛名单的通知". thecfa.cn (in Chinese). 23 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
- ^ "全国主要城市经纬度表".
- ^ "From Ivorian student to footballer in China - with help from coronavirus". today.rtl.lu.
- ^ "官方：中甲泰州远大宣布退出中国足坛". Dongqiudi (in Chinese). 20 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
- ^ "China League One". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 November 2020.