SUZHOU, China, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Wuhan Zall avoided relegation from the Chinese Super League (CSL) after defeating Zhejiang Energy Greentown 1-0 in the second leg of their playoffs here on Sunday.
Thus, Zhejiang, the runner-up of the second-tier league, who had drawn with Wuhan 2-2 in their first leg, failed to enter the 2021 CSL season.
Both teams contended fiercely for the fateful ticket into the next CSL. Though Wuhan had the advantage of controlling the ball, the team did not pose much threat to Zhejiang until the 28th minute, when captain Li Hang converted a penalty kick for the Wuhan side.
In the 54th minute, Zhejiang's Zimbabwean player Nyasha Mushekwi tried to score with a header but was denied by the goalkeeper Dong Chunyu. In the 76th minute, Mushekwi's attack was hindered as the referee confirmed his fouling with a handball. Zhejiang failed to reverse the score before the final whistle was blown.
"Many of our players, especially the foreign ones, got injured in this year's CSL. Even though, they held out from the opening ceremony to the last playoffs," said Pang Li, coach of Wuhan Zall, adding that players' physical and mental fatigue under such a situation shall be paid attention to in the next season.
As the coronavirus-affected season concluded on Sunday, Shijiazhuang Ever Bright was relegated from CSL, and Changchun Yatai was promoted from China's second-tier league. Enditem
