Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

TheMK sports Korea curtain closed on the 2024 Chinese Super League (CSL) season over the weekend, with Shanghai Port clinching their second consecutive title in a display of offensive prowess and unyielding consistency. 

Throughout the season, they not only shattered records, including a remarkable 16-game winning streak, but also set a new standard for the league, finishing with 78 points and a league-high 96 goals. 

Star player Wu Lei, who scored 34 goals in 30 appearances, earned the Golden Boot without a single penalty, proving that his form has reached a new high. Meanwhile, his teammate Oscar also set a personal best with 20 assists, a record that propelled his team to the top. These achievements should signal growth for the CSL, but they also underscore the challenges that remain.

This season's statistics make clear that clubs are capable of performing at the highest level in Asia. Alongside Port's dominance, cross-city rivals Shanghai Shenhua emerged as key contenders, only being denied in the final game of the league. 

Chengdu Rongcheng, finishing third in the league, secured their first-ever Asian Champions League qualification, breaking into a territory traditionally dominated by established powers. This not only invigorated western China's soccer fan base but also suggests that competitive depth may finally be spreading to more regions, energizing audiences beyond the traditional powerhouses.

However, China's ambitions for international soccer success face a formidable challenge that has plagued the CSL for years: a slow pace of play. 

The league's rhythm has historically lagged behind international standards, a concern that not only affects the CSL's entertainment value but also spills over to the national team's performance. This season highlighted that challenge when, despite changes like precise stoppage time and a foreign-player-friendly policy, the pace remained noticeably slower than in other major leagues. 

This slow pace impacts players' adaptability to fast-paced international matches, hindering the national team's competitiveness in international tournaments where speed and intensity are non-negotiable. For China to improve on the world stage, the CSL must take urgent steps to elevate game rhythm and intensity to match continental norms.

Still, progress was evident across multiple fronts, especially with foreign coaches and young talents gaining ground. 

All top-five teams were led by foreign coaches, with managers like Kevin Muscat of Australia with Port and Leonid Slutsky of Russia with Shenhua successfully imparting tactical sophistication to clubs. Their influence fostered disciplined play and a competitive edge, proving that international expertise can help elevate local teams. 

Simultaneously, domestic coaches made notable strides. Coaches like Yu Genwei of Tianjin Jinmen Tiger achieved career-best team finishes, and seasoned leaders like Li Xiaopeng with Cangzhou Mighty Lions and Shao Jiayi with Qingdao West Coast skillfully guided struggling clubs to safety, demonstrating the potential of domestic talent to foster long-term stability and growth within the league.

The emergence of young talents also breathed fresh life into the CSL this season. 

Rising stars like Shandong Taishan's Xie Wenneng and Zhejiang's 17-year-old Wang Yudong offered glimpses of China's soccer future. Their dynamism, coupled with impressive technical skills, holds promise for the national team. Encouraging this pipeline of young, locally developed players is crucial, as they will soon be tasked with carrying China's soccer hopes on the international stage.

Beyond player performance, structural changes helped polish CSL's image and credibility. 

The Chinese Football Association's (CFA) reforms aimed at transparency and fair play yielded initial benefits. For the first time, the CFA opened referee evaluations to public scrutiny, a move that sought to address public doubts about officiating and boost officiating standards. 

Introducing a five-foreign-player policy, allowing corporate naming rights, and implementing more accurate stoppage time collectively enhanced the league's competitive balance and appeal. 

Though some measures like corporate sponsorship freedoms have yet to realize their full impact, these reforms indicate a willingness to experiment with policies that could build a more sustainable league.

Fan enthusiasm remains a vital factor. 

CSL attendance averaged around 20,000 spectators per game, a respectable figure in a nation still rebuilding its soccer culture. Home venues for clubs like Beijing Guoan and Chengdu Rongcheng were often filled to capacity, a testament to soccer's enduring appeal among Chinese fans. 

Clubs' efforts to engage with fans through direct interactions also strengthened community ties and fostered a vibrant fan culture. Such passion is invaluable, as it drives a virtuous cycle that energizes players, attracts sponsors, and builds national interest.

The 2024 season underscores that while CSL and Chinese soccer have achieved measurable progress, the pace of play remains an Achilles' heel. 

The CFA's reforms and clubs' investments have laid a foundation, but Chinese soccer's future success depends on a commitment to sustained, system-wide improvements that raise play intensity. 

As Chinese soccer emerges from past controversies and corruption scandals, this season may be remembered as a pivotal turning point. The hope is that, with further development and a focus on rigorous, fast-paced training, the CSL will contribute to the long-term resurgence of Chinese soccer and ultimately bring pride on an international stage.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. [email protected]