Chinese Super League kicks off new season with 30,000 fans

Wu Shaocong (1st L) of Guangzhou FC celebrates with teammates after scoring during the 1st round match between Guangzhou City and Guangzhou FC at the 2021 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Guangzhou Division in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

Thirty thousand fans witnessed the opener of the 2021 Chinese Super League (CSL) season here on Tuesday.

The CSL trophy was carried into the Guangzhou Tianhe stadium for the opening ceremony by an artificial intelligence-piloted aircraft from outside.

In accordance with the ritual protocol, the trophy should be handed over at the ceremony by the reigning champion Jiangsu FC, but it was disqualified from professional leagues due to financial difficulties before the new season kicked off.

Last season, the football world suffered from the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. After the CSL 2020 season kicked off in July, fans were gradually allowed to enter the stadium at the end of the season.

The opening match of the new season saw a 2-2 tie in a Guangzhou derby.

Guangzhou FC opened the scoring in the 7th minute when A Lan headed home Deng Hanwen's cross. Eight minutes later, Yan Dinghao committed an own goal for Guangzhou City. And City overtook the lead in the 51st minute with a goal from Ye Chugui before Wu Shaocongmadehis header in the 86th minute to equalize for Guangzhou FC.

The 2021 CSL will be hosted in Guangzhou and Suzhou, with the first stage running until May 17.