The domestic season is finally at an end, with the high drama of a two-legged cup final a fitting crown to the season – we discuss how much the trophy means to Beijing Guo’an and their fans, and speculate on the curious trend of yet another away team walking away as cup winners. There’s a lot of love for the importance of the cup in domestic football, and some discussion about potential rule-changes to make things even better.
We change pace to finish wading through the mid-table CSL marshes: have Hebei and Jiangsu stalled just short of the ACL glass ceiling, are there shoots of recovery from Shenhua, and just how will WEF’s Donald Ross rebut Brandon’s previous criticism of his side?
A bonus-length podcast then wraps up with a review of the sides at the top in the title race – where did it go right for the champions this year, and are we seeing a real power shift and start of a new dynasty – or is it too early to write off deposed champions Guangzhou Evergrande just yet? We tackle the complex question of Evergrande’s legacy – how have they changed Chinese football over the years, and has their influence been for the better or worse? All this – and the chance to vote for phenomenon of the year – in this week’s Chinese Football Podcast.
The Chinese Football Podcast is hosted by Wild East Football’s Steve Crooks, joined by Chinese football experts Brandon Chemers in Beijing and Cameron Wilson in Shanghai. WEF’s Guangzhou R&F correspondent Donald Ross is on the line this week also.
Stream the cast using the player above, or download to your device.
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The Chinese Football Podcast is pleased to be sponsored by Football Shirt Memory – the number one CSL shirt retailer in the West. Check out their wares here.
We are also very pleased to be hosted and broadcast on Football Nation Radio.
Don’t miss the chance to get involved in the discussion on Twitter at #chinafootypod – we love hearing feedback and do our best to field your questions and suggested topics each and every week.
Steve hosts the Chinese Football Podcast, having joined the WEF team as correspondent for Shanghai Shenhua, the side he has followed since moving to Shanghai in 2010. Exiled from the Victorian town-centre idyll of Feethams along with his childhood football team, Steve spent many an (un)happy year on Hongkou's North Terrace along with the Shenhua Element Crew and Blue Devils before relocating to Sydney from where he continues to follow the Chinese game from afar.
Join in the discussion on #chinafootypod
Previous Podcasts
This week’s pod opens with a review of Beijing Guoan’s ninth straight win, and more goals for Cedric Bakambu – begging the question of why some fans are still dissatisfied …
There’s only one place to start this week, with a high-quality top-of-the-table clash at Tianhe seeing Beijing Guo’an walk away with their eighth consecutive win. It’s still early in the …
The pod is back to regular business this week, and there’s only one place to start – with Beijing Guoan setting a new CSL record by opening with seven straight …
We take a break from weekly matters and dive into the first of a new series of in-depth chats to shine a more personal light on some of our contributors’ …
After the goals last week, referees take centre-stage here – with the CSL seeing a record number of red cards and penalties but relatively little controversy, should we look back …
It’s been raining high-quality goals in the CSL – and whether your preference is cheeky backheels, long-range screamers or hilarious last-minute goalkeeper snafus, there’s something here for you – the …
There’s plenty of off-the-pitch goings-on for the pod to debate this week – whether it’s enjoying Wuhan’s Rafael da Silva’s school-style apology letter or arguing the merits of checking how …
Once again the pod find themselves forced to answer the questions of whether the China national team has hit a new low, just how this big-spending football-power-in-waiting manages to underachieve …
Resisting the urge to talk about the China Cup until the dust has settled, the pod takes the extended international break as a chance to catch up on some lesser-discussed …
Two rounds in with the season picking up momentum – what better time could there be for an extended break to accommodate the China Cup in Nanning? With no squad …
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