分类： sports

Despite the Chinese national soccer team’s repeated failure to qualify for the World Cup and the ongoing struggles of its top clubs in Asian competitions, there are signs of hope for the sport in China. The 2025 Chinese Super League season concluded on a positive note, with Shanghai Port poised to retain the title if they secure a draw in their final match against Dalian. Should they falter, city rivals Shanghai Shenhua could seize the opportunity. The season has seen an average attendance of 26,000 per match, the highest among top Asian leagues and a significant improvement from a decade ago when Chinese clubs splurged on international stars like Oscar, Tevez, and Hulk, and renowned coaches such as Marcello Lippi and Manuel Pellegrini. Today, the league lacks such high-profile names, and clubs face financial difficulties, but the passion for soccer remains undiminished. Simon Chadwick, a professor of AfroEurasian Sport at Emlyon Business School in France, noted that a dedicated fan base persists in China, undeterred by recent challenges. While the sustainability of this resurgence is uncertain, Chadwick believes the seeds of a new era in Chinese soccer are beginning to sprout. This revival extends beyond the professional level, with amateur regional leagues flourishing across the country. The Jiangsu Football City League, launched in May 2025, has been particularly successful, drawing an average attendance of 30,000 and culminating in a final that attracted 62,000 spectators in Nanjing. The league’s success has inspired other provinces to establish similar competitions, marking a shift from top-down initiatives to grassroots, community-driven growth. Taizhou coach Zhou Gaoping emphasized the league’s role in rediscovering the essence of soccer, transcending mere victories and defeats. As Taizhou prepares for the 2026 season with overwhelming player interest, the future of Chinese soccer appears promising, even as the national team remains absent from the World Cup. If this trend continues, soccer could experience unprecedented growth in one of the world’s most populous nations.

India’s cricket captain, Shubman Gill, faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the second test against South Africa due to a neck injury. Gill, who was forced to retire hurt during the first innings of the Kolkata test—a match India lost by 30 runs—traveled with the team to Guwahati on Wednesday. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the media on Thursday, indicating that Gill’s availability hinges on the risk of a recurring neck spasm. ‘He is definitely recovering really well. The decision will be made tomorrow evening,’ Kotak stated. ‘If there’s a guarantee that the issue won’t recur, he will play. Otherwise, he will rest for one more game, as it wouldn’t benefit the team.’ Should Gill be sidelined, vice-captain Rishabh Pant is set to lead the team in the second test, which begins on Saturday in Guwahati. Kotak emphasized the team’s depth, noting, ‘Any team would miss a player and captain like Shubman. But we have plenty of good players who should step up and perform.’ Potential replacements include Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The series between India and South Africa will continue with three one-day internationals and five T20 internationals scheduled from November 30 to December 19.

In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Zimbabwe claimed its largest-ever Twenty20 victory over Sri Lanka, triumphing by 67 runs in the opening match of the tri-series held in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Captain Sikandar Raza and fast bowler Brad Evans spearheaded the team’s dominant performance, with Evans delivering an exceptional spell of 3-9, supported by a collective effort from all six bowlers who contributed wickets.

The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a tale of two teams: McLaren’s resurgence and Red Bull’s struggle to maintain its historic dominance. While McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have emerged as the frontrunners, Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time champion, has been fighting an uphill battle to keep his title hopes alive. Despite a late-season surge, Verstappen acknowledges that a fifth consecutive championship is highly improbable. The season began with Red Bull’s lackluster performance in Australia, a stark contrast to the team’s previous dominance. Verstappen, however, has managed to stay competitive, securing seven consecutive podiums and three wins in the last six races. Yet, with three races remaining, he trails Norris by 49 points and Piastri by 25. Verstappen remains pragmatic, stating that a title win would require significant luck and a dramatic turnaround. His focus now is on maximizing his car’s potential and finishing the season strong. Meanwhile, Norris’s consistent performance suggests that Verstappen’s prediction last year—that Norris’s time would come—might soon be fulfilled. As the season nears its end, Verstappen’s legacy as one of F1’s greats remains intact, even if his reign as champion appears to be winding down.

In a significant shake-up for the Australian cricket team, Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett are set to make their Test debuts in the first Ashes match against England in Perth. This marks the first time since January 2019 that Australia has handed out two new baggy green caps in a single Test. The announcement was made by stand-in captain Steve Smith during his pre-match press conference at Perth Stadium on Thursday, ending months of speculation about the team’s composition. Weatherald, an opening batter, will partner with Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, while Doggett, a pace bowler, steps in for the injured Josh Hazlewood. Cameron Green’s recovery from injury has also influenced the selection, leaving no room for all-rounder Beau Webster. Marnus Labuschagne will bat at his preferred number three position, with Smith and Travis Head following. The pace attack, weakened by injuries, will feature Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Doggett. Smith expressed optimism about the newcomers, highlighting their hard work and potential to make an impact. Weatherald, 31, brings recent strong form from domestic cricket, while Doggett, also 31, has consistently performed in the Sheffield Shield. Their inclusion also marks a historic moment, as Australia will field two indigenous players in a Test team for the first time.

Hong Kong is positioning itself as a key player in the sports economy by leveraging its role in co-hosting the 15th National Games. Experts believe the city has the potential to extend its influence beyond the sporting arena, shaping long-term strategies and driving momentum for future events. The successful hosting of the Games has showcased Hong Kong’s capabilities in vision, capacity, and connectivity to the broader sports economy, according to Steve Dainton, CEO of World Table Tennis. Dainton emphasized that Hong Kong’s event capability, international appeal, and experience in hosting large-scale events make it an ideal location for major tournaments like the upcoming WTT Finals in December. He stressed the importance of host cities fostering collaboration among stakeholders and focusing on delivering exceptional fan experiences to generate lasting economic and social value. Kenny Shui, vice-president of Our Hong Kong Foundation, highlighted the need for strategic coordination by the SAR government to align sports events with art and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) activities. He suggested transforming the National Games Coordination Office into a permanent entity to manage large-scale multi-sports events and introducing sports-related financial products, such as event rights trading and sports bonds, to attract mainland investors. Shui also proposed leveraging Hong Kong’s status as a financial hub to facilitate international sponsorship agreements and intellectual property licensing, thereby lowering barriers for Chinese brands entering global leagues. Chi Sum Li of KPMG China noted Hong Kong’s unique strengths in ‘soft infrastructure,’ including international standards and IP protection, which can drive the regional sports economy and promote the Greater Bay Area’s sports brand globally. As the Chinese sports industry expands internationally, Hong Kong’s robust IPO market and private equity channels are seen as valuable platforms for raising capital to support overseas acquisitions and marketing efforts. Leading brands like Anta and Li-Ning have already utilized Hong Kong as a springboard for international growth, demonstrating the city’s potential as a gateway for global sports expansion.

The 16th edition of the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards is set to take place on December 28, 2025, at the luxurious Atlantis The Royal hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Football enthusiasts worldwide are invited to participate in the voting process, which opened on November 20 and will continue until November 27 for nine of the 15 award categories. A second round of voting will run from December 3 to 11, with final winners determined by a combination of fan votes and the esteemed Globe Soccer Jury, featuring football legends like Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) dominates the nominations following their stellar 2024-2025 season, which saw them clinch the Uefa Champions League, Super Cup, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France. The club is vying for the Best Men’s Club award, while manager Luis Enrique and sporting director Luís Campos are shortlisted for Best Coach and Best Sporting Director, respectively. Eight PSG players, including Ousmane Dembélé and Gianluigi Donnarumma, are nominated for Best Men’s Player, alongside other football giants like Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Mohamed Salah.

In the women’s categories, Barcelona Femení and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí aims for a third consecutive Best Women’s Player award. She is joined by teammates and England’s Uefa Women’s Euro 2025 champions on the shortlist. Arsenal, the Uefa Women’s Champions League winners, are among the contenders for Best Women’s Club.

Cristiano Ronaldo, representing Portugal and Al-Nassr, is nominated for Best Middle East Player, competing against Salem Al-Dawsari, Karim Benzema, and others. The event promises to celebrate the finest talents in global football, with fans playing a pivotal role in deciding the winners.