Stability key as Guangzhou maintain dominance

HONGKONG: Billionsofrenminbi were spent and regulations changed at the last minute but at the end of a tumultuous Chinese Super League season it was continuity that proved decisive as Guangzhou Evergrande romped to a record seventh straight title.

While their rivals were spending eye- watering sums to lure the likes of Carlos Tevez and Oscar in headline- stealing moves, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s club profited from a philosophy that put team unity ahead of individual talent.

“This year the Chinese Super League title was not easy to win,” said Scolari, who claimed his third Chinese title in only two- and- ahalf seasons with the club.

“We made it seven times in a row and it means so much to the club and to the club’s owner. I think this year was the most difficult one since 2011. However, my players made it here by overcoming so many obstacles.”

As highly paid foreign players and coaches flooded into China, Guangzhou’s quiet transfer business looked at odds with what was going on around them.

But as the season played out, Scolari’s decision not to disrupt his squad by bringing in big earning foreign players started to look like a wise decision.

Tevez tanked spectacularly at Shanghai Shenhua due to a mixture of injury and disinterest, while Oscar’s season at Shanghai SIPG was disrupted by an eightgame ban for his involvement in an on-field brawl in June.

Despite the loss of the Brazilian for more than a quarter of the league season, it was SIPG who put up the sternest challenge to Guangzhou in a season when decisions made by Chinese football authorities had a major impact.

Days before the start of the season the number of foreign players permitted in a starting line- up was reduced from four to three, while less than a week ahead of the mid-season transfer window a tax was imposed on high- cost transfers. — AFP