A bittersweet season for overseas players and coaches in Chinese Super League
Xinhua
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(Photo: Xinhua)

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- World-class players and coaches showed great influence in the top-tier Chinese Super League (CSL), but not everyone could enjoy themselves this season.

With 32 goals and 34 assists, the Brazilian trio of Hulk, Oscar and Elkeson led Shanghai SIPG to their first CSL title with one game to spare after they beat Beijing Renhe 2-1 at home in the 29th CSL matchday.

Thanks to the efforts of Hulk, Oscar and Elkeson, Shanghai SIPG has become a strong competitor in the CSL. They ranked second in 2015 and 2017, reached the semifinals of the Asian Champions League last year, and overthrew Guangzhou Evergrande's dynasty of seven consecutive titles this year.

Though SIPG's three Brazilians played a vital role in winning the CSL title, head coach Vitor Pereira was at pains to point out that the triumph was the result of a team effort.

"All members of the club put in so much effort this season. We experienced so much, and we did it," Pereira said after SIPG had won the title. "We will fight to defend the championship next season."

Elsewhere, Bernd Schuster was another lucky dog as Dalian Yifang avoided relegation at the last minute by beating Changchun Yatai 2-0 in the final 30th round of the CSL last Sunday.

The 58-year-old former Real Madrid boss arrived at the club at a time when Dalian had lost their first three games and conceded 13 goals without scoring.

Schuster's job was not easy as Dalian were a newly promoted side, but he made best use of home advantage and led the team to win 10 games at home, significantly contributing to their eventual survival, which was helped in no small measure by the arrival of Belgium's Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Argentina's Nicolas Gaitan.

Guangzhou Evergrande failed to win the CSL for the first time in eight years, which was not great news for Brazil midfielder Paulinho or head coach Fabio Cannavaro.

Paulinho rejoined Evergrande on loan from Barcelona in July 2018, and the 29-year-old scored 13 goals in 19 appearances.

"I hope to bring more championships to Guangzhou and their fans. I also hope to give the Super League more excitement," said Paulinho in July.

Among those who struggled this season, Fabio Capello resigned as head coach of Jiangsu Suning in March 2018. Capello had taken over in June 2017 when the club was struggling near the bottom of the CSL and had been eliminated by Shanghai SIPG in the first knockout stage of the AFC Champions League, but the Italian's arrival didn't bring a quick change of fortunes for the club.

Paulo Sousa also resigned as head coach of Tianjin Quanjian in October 2018, with the club also suffering the loss of influential overseas players Axel Witsel and Anthony Modeste.

Although Sousa made history by leading Tianjin into the final eight of the AFC Champions League, domestically the team did not fare as well, and was near the CSL relegation zone after 24 rounds.

Jiangsu Suning midfielder Ramires had a miserable season, failing to make a single appearance in the CSL. The Brazilian joined the Nanjing side from Chelsea for 25 million pounds in 2016, but recently expressed his desire to transfer to a club in Europe or Brazil, leading to his absence from the club's CSL campaign.