2021 in Chinese football

Football in China

Season	2021
Men's football
Super League	Shandong Taishan
League One	Wuhan Three Towns
League Two	Qingdao Hainiu
CMCL	Jinan Xingzhou
Women's football
Super League	Wuhan Jianghan University
Football League	Shaanxi
←  2020 2022  →

The 2021 season was the 71st season of competitive association football in China.

National teams

China national football team

Main article: China national football team

Results and fixtures

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)

Second round

Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round § Group A

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Syria	8	7	0	1	22	7	+15	21	World Cup qualifying third round and Asian Cup		—	2–1	1–0	2–1	4–0
2	China [lower-alpha 1]	8	6	1	1	30	3	+27	19			3–1	—	2–0	5–0	7–0
3	Philippines	8	3	2	3	12	11	+1	11	Asian Cup qualifying third round		2–5	0–0	—	1–1	3–0
4	Maldives	8	2	1	5	7	20	−13	7			0–4	0–5	1–2	—	3–1
5	Guam	8	0	0	8	2	32	−30	0	Asian Cup qualifying play-off round		0–3	0–7	1–4	0–1	—

Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
Notes:

1. China qualified for the Asian Cup as the host nation. They removed from the host in May 2022.

Guam   v   China

30 May 2021 (2021-05-30) FIFA World Cup qualification R2	Guam	0–7	China	Suzhou, China
19:30  UTC+8		Report (FIFA) [ dead link ] Report (AFC)	Wu Lei 20' (pen.), 55' Jin Jingdao 39' Wu Xi 61' Elkeson 65' Alan 83', 87'	Stadium: Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre Attendance: 29,222 Referee: Sivakorn Pu-udom (Thailand)

China   v   Philippines

7 June 2021 (2021-06-07) FIFA World Cup qualification R2	China	2–0	Philippines	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
21:00  UTC+4	Wu Lei 56' (pen.) Wu Xinghan 65'	Report (FIFA) Report (AFC)		Stadium: Sharjah Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Kim Hee-gon (South Korea)

China   v   Maldives

11 June 2021 (2021-06-11) FIFA World Cup qualification R2	China	5–0	Maldives	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
21:00  UTC+4	Liu Binbin 5' Wu Lei 30' Alan 68' Zhang Yuning 69' Tan Long 79'	Report (FIFA) Report (AFC)		Stadium: Sharjah Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Jordan)

China   v   Syria

15 June 2021 (2021-06-15) FIFA World Cup qualification R2	China	3–1	Syria	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
22:00  UTC+4	Zhang Xizhe 43' Wu Lei 69' (pen.) Zhang Yuning 90+3'	Report (FIFA) Report (AFC)	Aosman 50'	Stadium: Sharjah Stadium Referee: Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)

Third round

Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round § Group B

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Saudi Arabia	10	7	2	1	12	6	+6	23	2022 FIFA World Cup		—	1–0	1–0	1–0	3–2	3–1
2	Japan	10	7	1	2	12	4	+8	22			2–0	—	2–1	0–1	2–0	1–1
3	Australia	10	4	3	3	15	9	+6	15	Fourth round		0–0	0–2	—	3–1	3–0	4–0
4	Oman	10	4	2	4	11	10	+1	14			0–1	0–1	2–2	—	2–0	3–1
5	China	10	1	3	6	9	19	−10	6			1–1	0–1	1–1	1–1	—	3–2
6	Vietnam	10	1	1	8	8	19	−11	4			0–1	0–1	0–1	0–1	3–1	—

Source: FIFA, AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Australia   v   China

2 September 2021 (2021-09-02) FIFA World Cup qualification R3	Australia	3–0	China	Doha, Qatar
21:00  UTC+3	Mabil 24' Boyle 26' Duke 70'	Report (FIFA)		Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)

China   v   Japan

7 September 2021 (2021-09-07) FIFA World Cup qualification R3	China	0–1	Japan	Doha, Qatar
18:00  UTC+3		Report (FIFA)	Osako 40'	Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)

China   v   Vietnam

7 October 2021 (2021-10-07) FIFA World Cup qualification R3	China	3–2	Vietnam	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
21:00  UTC+4	Zhang Yuning 57' Wu Lei 75', 90+5'	Report (FIFA)	Hồ Tấn Tài 79' Nguyễn Tiến Linh 90'	Stadium: Sharjah Stadium Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates)

Saudi Arabia   v   China

12 October 2021 (2021-10-12) FIFA World Cup qualification R3	Saudi Arabia	3–2	China	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
20:00  UTC+3	Al-Najei 15', 38' Al-Buraikan 72'	Report (FIFA)	Aloísio 46' Wu Xi 87'	Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)

China   v   Oman

11 November 2021 (2021-11-11) FIFA World Cup qualification R3	China	1–1	Oman	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
19:00  UTC+4	Wu Lei 21'	Report (FIFA)	Al-Harthi 75'	Stadium: Sharjah Stadium Referee: Sivakorn Pu-udom (Thailand)

China   v   Australia

16 November 2021 (2021-11-16) FIFA World Cup qualification R3	China	1–1	Australia	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
19:00  UTC+4	Wu Lei 71' (pen.)	Report (FIFA)	Duke 38'	Stadium: Sharjah Stadium Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)

Friendlies

China   v   Syria

30 September 2021 (2021-09-30) Friendly	China	1–1	Syria	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
19:00  UTC+4	Zhang Yuning 45+2'		Marmour 26'	Stadium: Sharjah Stadium Attendance: 0 (Behind closed door)

China women's national football team

Main article: China women's national football team

Results and fixtures

Olympic qualifying tournament

Main article: 2020 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament § Play-off round

Team 1	Agg. Tooltip Aggregate score	Team 2	1st leg	2nd leg
South Korea	3–4	China	1–2	2–2 (a.e.t.)

South Korea   v   China

8 April	South Korea	1–2	China	Goyang, South Korea
16:00 UTC+9	Kang Chae-rim 39'	Live Report (AFC) Stats Report (AFC) Report (KFA) Report (Soccerway)	Zhang Xin 33' Wang Shuang 73' (pen.)	Stadium: Goyang Stadium Attendance: 1,091 Referee: Casey Reibelt (Australia)

China   v   South Korea

13 April	China	2–2 (a.e.t.)	South Korea	Suzhou, China
16:00 UTC+8	Wang Shuang 69', 104'	Live Report (AFC) Stats Report (AFC) Report (KFA) Report (Soccerway)	Kang Chae-rim 31' Choe Yu-ri 45'	Stadium: Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)

Summer Olympics

Main article: Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament § Group F

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Netherlands	3	2	1	0	21	8	+13	7	Advance to knockout stage
2	Brazil	3	2	1	0	9	3	+6	7
3	Zambia	3	0	1	2	7	15	−8	1
4	China	3	0	1	2	6	17	−11	1

Source: TOCOG and FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

China   v   Brazil

21 July 2021 Olympics	China	0–5	Brazil	Rifu, Japan
17:00 UTC+9		Report (Tokyo 2020) Report (FIFA)	Marta 9', 74' Debinha 22' Alves 82' (pen.) Beatriz 89'	Stadium: Miyagi Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)

China   v   Zambia

24 July 2021 Olympics	China	4–4	Zambia	Rifu, Japan
17:00 UTC+9	Wang Shuang 6', 22', 23', 83' (pen.)	Report (Tokyo 2020) Report (FIFA)	Kundananji 15' Banda 42' (pen.), 46', 69'	Stadium: Miyagi Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Melissa Borjas (Honduras)

Netherlands   v   China

27 July 2021 Olympics	Netherlands	8–2	China	Yokohama, Japan
20:30 UTC+9	van de Sanden 12' Beerensteyn 37', 45+2' Martens 47', 70' Miedema 65', 76' Pelova 72'	Report (Tokyo 2020) Report (FIFA)	Wang Shanshan 28' Wang Yanwen 69'	Stadium: International Stadium Yokohama Attendance: 0 Referee: Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)

AFC competitions

AFC Champions League

Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League

AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs round

Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs

Play-off round

Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs § Play-off round

Team 1	Score	Team 2
Shanghai Port	0–1	Kaya–Iloilo

Group stage

Main article: 2021 AFC Champions League group stage

Group I

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification		KAW	DAE	UNI	BJG
1	Kawasaki Frontale	6	6	0	0	27	3	+24	18	Advance to Round of 16		—	3–2	8–0	4–0
2	Daegu FC	6	4	0	2	22	6	+16	12			1–3	—	7–0	5–0
3	United City	6	1	1	4	4	24	−20	4			0–2	0–4	—	1–1
4	Beijing Guoan	6	0	1	5	3	23	−20	1			0–7	0–3	2–3	—

Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group J

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification		CER	KIT	POR	GZH
1	Cerezo Osaka	6	4	2	0	13	2	+11	14	Advance to Round of 16		—	2–1	1–1	5–0
2	Kitchee	6	3	2	1	6	3	+3	11			0–0	—	2–0	1–0
3	Port (H)	6	2	2	2	10	8	+2	8			0–3	1–1	—	3–0
4	Guangzhou	6	0	0	6	1	17	−16	0			0–2	0–1	1–5	—

Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(H) Hosts

Men's football

League	Promoted to league	Relegated from league	Expelled or Dissolved	Re-elected
Super League	Changchun Yatai	None	Jiangsu	None
League One	Wuhan Three Towns Zibo Cuju Nanjing City Beijing BIT	None	Beijing Renhe Inner Mongolia Zhongyou Taizhou Yuanda	None
League Two	Dongguan United Xiamen Egret Island Sichuan Minzu Yichun Grand Tiger Hebei Kungfu Wuxi Wugou Quanzhou Yassin Yanbian Longding Dandong Tengyue	None	Jiangsu Yancheng Dingli Shenzhen Bogang	None

Super League

Main article: 2021 Chinese Super League

Regular season

Group A

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Shandong Taishan	14	10	3	1	30	10	+20	33	Qualification for Championship stage
2	Guangzhou	14	9	3	2	39	14	+25	30
3	Shenzhen	14	7	3	4	24	18	+6	24
4	Guangzhou City	14	5	6	3	21	21	0	21
5	Henan Songshan Longmen	14	4	6	4	13	14	−1	18	Qualification for Relegation stage
6	Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic	14	3	2	9	16	28	−12	11
7	Cangzhou Mighty Lions	14	2	4	8	13	23	−10	10
8	Qingdao	14	2	1	11	6	34	−28	7

Source: CSL, Soccerway
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.

Group B

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Changchun Yatai	14	8	4	2	23	11	+12	28 [lower-alpha 1]	Qualification for Championship stage
2	Shanghai Port	14	8	4	2	30	7	+23	28 [lower-alpha 1]
3	Beijing Guoan	14	7	3	4	19	16	+3	24
4	Hebei	14	6	5	3	12	11	+1	23
5	Shanghai Shenhua	14	6	4	4	21	17	+4	22	Qualification for Relegation stage
6	Wuhan	14	1	8	5	11	19	−8	11
7	Tianjin Jinmen Tiger	14	2	3	9	11	29	−18	9
8	Dalian Pro	14	2	1	11	12	29	−17	7

Source: CSL, Soccerway
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.
  Notes:

1. Head-to-head results: Changchun Yatai 2–1 Shanghai Port, Shanghai Port 0–0 Changchun Yatai.

Championship stage

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Shandong Taishan (C)	22	15	6	1	47	16	+31	51	Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage
2	Shanghai Port	22	13	6	3	42	14	+28	45
3	Guangzhou	22	13	5	4	47	17	+30	44
4	Changchun Yatai	22	11	6	5	31	20	+11	39
5	Beijing Guoan	22	9	6	7	26	28	−2	33
6	Shenzhen	22	9	5	8	33	29	+4	32
7	Guangzhou City	22	7	8	7	32	31	+1	29
8	Hebei	22	6	7	9	15	28	−13	25

Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.
  (C) Champions

Relegation stage

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
9	Shanghai Shenhua	22	10	7	5	34	22	+12	37
10	Henan Songshan Longmen	22	7	9	6	19	20	−1	30
11	Cangzhou Mighty Lions	22	6	6	10	25	32	−7	24
12	Tianjin Jinmen Tiger	22	5	6	11	18	35	−17	21
13	Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic (R, D)	22	5	5	12	21	36	−15	20 [lower-alpha 1]	Dissolved after season
14	Wuhan	22	3	11	8	23	30	−7	20 [lower-alpha 1]
15	Dalian Pro (T)	22	6	1	15	21	37	−16	19	Qualification for relegation play-offs
16	Qingdao (D, R)	22	3	2	17	13	52	−39	11	Dissolved after season

Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Scores of the weight ratio of the reserve league and youth leagues.
  (D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated; (T) Qualified, but not yet for the particular phase indicated
  Notes:

1. Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic finished ahead of Wuhan on head-to-head points: Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic 0–0 Wuhan, Wuhan 1–2 Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic.

League One

Main article: 2021 China League One

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Wuhan Three Towns (C, P)	34	25	4	5	73	25	+48	79	Promotion to Super League
2	Meizhou Hakka (P)	34	24	3	7	79	35	+44	75
3	Zhejiang (O, P)	34	22	8	4	69	28	+41	74	Qualification for Promotion play-offs
4	Chengdu Rongcheng (O, P)	34	21	8	5	81	28	+53	71
5	Nantong Zhiyun	34	20	5	9	62	30	+32	65
6	Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic	34	17	11	6	55	30	+25	62
7	Heilongjiang Ice City	34	15	11	8	50	40	+10	56
8	Sichuan Jiuniu	34	13	13	8	34	27	+7	52
9	Kunshan	34	13	12	9	56	35	+21	51
10	Nanjing City	34	12	9	13	41	42	−1	45
11	Zibo Cuju	34	10	9	15	32	52	−20	39 [lower-alpha 1]
12	Guizhou (D)	34	10	9	15	26	56	−30	39 [lower-alpha 1]	Dissolved after season
13	Suzhou Dongwu	34	7	11	16	36	53	−17	32
14	Jiangxi Beidamen	34	7	8	19	29	68	−39	29
15	Beijing BSU	34	6	10	18	37	53	−16	28
16	Liaoning Shenyang Urban	34	7	4	23	30	62	−32	25
17	Beijing BIT (T)	34	3	5	26	24	82	−58	14	Qualification for Relegation play-offs
18	Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard (T)	34	1	6	27	16	84	−68	9

Source: CFA
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw
  (C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (T) Qualified, but not yet for the particular phase indicated
  Notes:

1. Zibo Cuju finished ahead of Guizhou on goal difference: Zibo Cuju 0–1 Guizhou, Guizhou 1–2 Zibo Cuju; Goal difference: Zibo Cuju -20 and Guizhou -30.

League Two

Main article: 2021 China League Two

First stage

Group A

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Shanxi Longjin	14	9	5	0	25	8	+17	32	Qualification for Promotion stage
2	Guangxi Pingguo Haliao	14	8	4	2	29	11	+18	28
3	Hebei Kungfu	14	8	2	4	18	10	+8	26
4	Xi'an Wolves	14	6	4	4	20	12	+8	22	Qualification for Relegation stage Group F
5	Shaoxing Keqiao Yuejia	14	5	3	6	14	16	−2	18
6	Inner Mongolia Caoshangfei	14	4	1	9	16	20	−4	13 [lower-alpha 1]
7	Dandong Tengyue	14	3	4	7	12	29	−17	13 [lower-alpha 1]	Qualification for Relegation stage Group E
8	Hubei Istar	14	1	1	12	3	31	−28	4

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw
  Notes:

1. Head-to-head results: Inner Mongolia Caoshangfei 1–2 Dandong Tengyue, Dandong Tengyue 0–3 Inner Mongolia Caoshangfei.

Group B

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Qingdao Hainiu	14	9	4	1	25	5	+20	31	Qualification for Promotion stage
2	Dongguan United	14	7	4	3	18	10	+8	25
3	Yichun Grand Tiger	14	5	7	2	13	11	+2	22 [lower-alpha 1]	Qualification for Relegation stage Group E
4	Hebei Zhuoao	14	5	7	2	17	9	+8	22 [lower-alpha 1]	Qualification for Relegation stage Group F
5	China U-20	14	5	6	3	17	15	+2	21	Qualification for Relegation stage Group E
6	Wuxi Wugou	14	4	2	8	13	18	−5	14
7	Shaanxi Warriors Beyond	14	2	4	8	7	18	−11	10
8	Kunming Zheng He Shipman	14	0	4	10	10	34	−24	4	Qualification for Relegation stage Group F

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw
  Notes:

1. Head-to-head results: Yichun Grand Tiger 0–0 Hebei Zhuoao, Hebei Zhuoao 1–2 Yichun Grand Tiger.

Group C

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Shanghai Jiading Huilong	14	9	2	3	19	8	+11	29	Qualification for Promotion stage
2	Xiamen Egret Island	14	8	4	2	21	9	+12	28
3	Qingdao Youth Island	14	8	2	4	25	15	+10	26
4	Sichuan Minzu	14	6	4	4	17	11	+6	22	Qualification for Relegation stage Group E
5	Quanzhou Yassin	14	5	2	7	10	15	−5	17	Qualification for Relegation stage Group F
6	Qingdao Red Lions	14	4	3	7	12	17	−5	15 [lower-alpha 1]	Qualification for Relegation stage Group E
7	Hunan Billows	14	4	3	7	8	19	−11	15 [lower-alpha 1]	Qualification for Relegation stage Group F
8	Yanbian Longding	14	0	4	10	6	24	−18	4

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw
  Notes:

1. Head-to-head results: Qingdao Red Lions 0–0 Hunan Billows, Hunan Billows 0–1 Qingdao Red Lions.

Ranking of third-placed teams

Pos	Grp	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	C	Qingdao Youth Island	14	8	2	4	25	15	+10	26	Qualification for Promotion stage
2	A	Hebei Kungfu	14	8	2	4	18	10	+8	26
3	B	Yichun Grand Tiger	14	5	7	2	13	11	+2	22	Qualification for Relegation stage Group E

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 5) Draw

Second stage

Group D

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Qingdao Hainiu (C, P)	14	9	3	2	27	13	+14	30	Promotion to League One
2	Hebei Kungfu (P)	14	9	2	3	23	14	+9	29
3	Guangxi Pingguo Haliao (O, P)	14	7	5	2	29	14	+15	26	Qualification for Promotion play-offs
4	Qingdao Youth Island (O, P)	14	5	7	2	19	11	+8	22
5	Xiamen Egret Island (R, R)	14	4	4	6	11	20	−9	16	Dissolved after season
6	Shanxi Longjin (D)	14	3	4	7	14	21	−7	13
7	Shanghai Jiading Huilong (P)	14	1	7	6	9	19	−10	10	Promotion to League One
8	Dongguan United	14	1	2	11	11	31	−20	5

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw
  (C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Group E

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Wuxi Wugou	7	5	2	0	13	3	+10	17
2	China U-20	7	3	2	2	11	5	+6	11 [lower-alpha 1]
3	Hubei Istar	7	3	2	2	10	6	+4	11 [lower-alpha 1]
4	Yichun Grand Tiger	7	2	3	2	6	6	0	9 [lower-alpha 2]
5	Sichuan Minzu (R, R, R)	7	2	3	2	6	7	−1	9 [lower-alpha 2]	Dissolved after season
6	Dandong Tengyue	7	2	2	3	4	10	−6	8
7	Qingdao Red Lions (O)	7	1	4	2	3	4	−1	7	Qualification for relegation play-offs
8	Shaanxi Warriors Beyond (R)	7	1	0	6	3	15	−12	3	Relegation to CMCL

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw
  (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
  Notes:

1. China U-20 finished ahead of Hubei Istar on head-to-head points: Hubei Istar 1–2 China U-20.
2. Yichun Grand Tiger finished ahead of Sichuan Minzu on goal difference: Yichun Grand Tiger 0–0 Sichuan Minzu; Goal difference: Yichun Grand Tiger 0 and Sichuan Minzu -1.

Group F

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Hebei Zhuoao (D, R)	7	4	2	1	9	2	+7	14	Dissolved after season
2	Yanbian Longding	7	2	5	0	9	5	+4	11
3	Xi'an Wolves (R, D)	7	2	4	1	9	8	+1	10	Dissolved after season
4	Hunan Billows	7	2	3	2	6	5	+1	9 [lower-alpha 1]
5	Kunming Zheng He Shipman (D, R)	7	2	3	2	8	10	−2	9 [lower-alpha 1]	Dissolved after season
6	Inner Mongolia Caoshangfei	7	1	5	1	7	8	−1	8
7	Shaoxing Keqiao Yuejia (D)	7	1	2	4	4	10	−6	5	Dissolved after season
8	Quanzhou Yassin (T)	7	0	4	3	3	7	−4	4	Relegation to CMCL and a repêchage.

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification:

• During season: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
• After season: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card); 8) Draw
  (D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated; (T) Qualified, but not yet for the particular phase indicated
  Notes:

1. Hunan Billows finished ahead of Kunming Zheng He Shipman on head-to-head points: Kunming Zheng He Shipman 0–2 Hunan Billows.

Women's football

Super League

Main article: 2021 Chinese Women's Super League

Regular season

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Wuhan Jianghan University	9	7	2	0	26	3	+23	23 [lower-alpha 1]	Qualification for Championship stage
2	Shanghai Shengli	9	7	2	0	21	2	+19	23 [lower-alpha 1]
3	Changchun Dazhong Zhuoyue	9	5	2	2	17	6	+11	17
4	Jiangsu	9	4	4	1	8	4	+4	16
5	Meizhou Hakka	9	3	3	3	12	12	0	12
6	Beijing BG Phoenix	9	2	3	4	12	20	−8	9	Qualification for Relegation stage
7	Shandong Sports Lottery	9	2	2	5	12	16	−4	8 [lower-alpha 2]
8	Henan Jianye	9	2	2	5	8	25	−17	8 [lower-alpha 2]
9	Zhejiang	9	0	3	6	5	16	−11	3 [lower-alpha 3]
10	Sichuan	9	0	3	6	3	20	−17	3 [lower-alpha 3]

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points); 8) Drawing of lots.
Notes:

1. Wuhan Jianghan University finished ahead of Shanghai Shengli on goal difference: Wuhan Jianghan University 0–0 Shanghai Shengli; Wuhan Jianghan University +23 and Shanghai Shengli +19.
2. Shandong Sports Lottery finished ahead of Henan Jianye on head-to-head points: Shandong Sports Lottery 2–0 Henan Jianye.
3. Zhejiang finished ahead of Sichuan on goal difference: Zhejiang 1–1 Sichuan; Zhejiang -11 and Sichuan -17.

Championship stage

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Jiangsu	4	2	1	1	6	4	+2	7	Qualification for Championship playoffs
2	Wuhan Jianghan University	4	1	3	0	7	4	+3	6 [lower-alpha 1]
3	Shanghai Shengli	4	2	0	2	5	6	−1	6 [lower-alpha 1]	Qualification for Third place playoffs
4	Meizhou Hakka	4	1	1	2	3	5	−2	4 [lower-alpha 2]
5	Changchun Dazhong Zhuoyue	4	1	1	2	5	7	−2	4 [lower-alpha 2]

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points); 8) Drawing of lots.
Notes:

1. Wuhan Jianghan University finished ahead of Shanghai Shengli on head-to-head points: Wuhan Jianghan University 4–1 Shanghai Shengli.
2. Meizhou Hakka finished ahead of Changchun Dazhong Zhuoyue on head-to-head points: Meizhou Hakka 2–0 Changchun Dazhong Zhuoyue.

Relegation stage

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Shandong Sports Lottery	4	2	2	0	7	4	+3	8 [lower-alpha 1]	Qualification for Sixth place playoffs
2	Henan Jianye	4	2	2	0	3	1	+2	8 [lower-alpha 1]
3	Sichuan	4	1	2	1	2	2	0	5	Qualification for Eighth place playoffs
4	Beijing BG Phoenix	4	1	1	2	5	6	−1	4
5	Zhejiang (R)	4	0	1	3	2	6	−4	1	Relegation to Football League

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points); 8) Drawing of lots.
(R) Relegated
Notes:

1. Shandong Sports Lottery finished ahead of Henan Jianye on goal difference: Shandong Sports Lottery 1–1 Henan Jianye; Shandong Sports Lottery +3 and Henan Jianye +2.

Football League

Main article: 2021 Chinese Women's Football League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Shaanxi (C, P)	10	10	0	0	25	3	+22	30	Promotion to Super League
2	Guangzhou	10	7	1	2	29	7	+22	22	Qualification for Promotion play-offs
3	Chongqing Lander	10	6	2	2	17	5	+12	20
4	Dalian Pro	10	5	4	1	19	10	+9	19 [lower-alpha 1]
5	Tianjin Shengde	10	6	1	3	21	9	+12	19 [lower-alpha 1]
6	Shanghai Shenhua	10	4	2	4	16	11	+5	14
7	China U-17	10	4	1	5	19	16	+3	13
8	Shanghai Qiusheng Donghua	10	3	1	6	13	19	−6	10
9	Hebei	10	2	2	6	19	21	−2	8
10	Qingdao Huanghai	10	1	0	9	5	52	−47	3
11	Yunnan Jiashijing	10	0	0	10	4	34	−30	0

Source: ^{[ citation needed ]}
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points); 8) Drawing of lots.
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:

1. Dalian Pro finished ahead of Tianjin Shengde on head-to-head points: Dalian Pro 2–0 Tianjin Shengde.

League Two

Main article: 2021 Chinese Women's League Two

Managerial changes

This is a list of changes of managers within Chinese professional league football:

Chinese Super League

Team	Outgoing manager	Manner of departure	Date of vacancy	Position in table	Incoming manager	Date of appointment
Guangzhou City	Giovanni van Bronckhorst	Mutual consent	3 December 2020 [1]	Pre-season	Jean-Paul van Gastel	22 February 2021 [2]
Wuhan	Pang Li (caretaker)	End of caretaker spell	27 December 2020		Li Xiaopeng	27 December 2020 [3]
Shanghai Port	Vítor Pereira	Mutual consent	31 December 2020 [4]		Ivan Leko	1 January 2021 [5]
Beijing Guoan	Bruno Génésio	Mutual consent	6 January 2021 [6]		Slaven Bilić	6 January 2021 [7]
Dalian Pro	Rafael Benítez	Mutual consent	23 January 2021 [8]		José González	18 April 2021 [9]
Hebei	Xie Feng	Mutual consent	28 March 2021		Kim Jong-boo	28 March 2021 [10]
Tianjin Jinmen Tiger	Wang Baoshan	Mutual consent	31 March 2021		Yu Genwei	31 March 2021
Shenzhen	Jordi Cruyff	Signed by Barcelona	3 June 2021 [11]	7th	José Carlos Granero	3 June 2021 [12]
Shanghai Shenhua	Choi Kang-hee	Resigned	7 August 2021	9th	Mao Yijun (caretaker)	7 August 2021 [13]
Cangzhou Mighty Lions	Afshin Ghotbi	Mutual consent	6 September 2021	13th	Liu Yan (caretaker)	6 September 2021 [14]
Guangzhou	Fabio Cannavaro	Mutual consent	28 September 2021 [15]	2nd	Zheng Zhi (player/manager)	7 December 2021 [16]
Henan Songshan Longmen	Javier Pereira	Mutual consent	7 October 2021	10th	Antonio Gómez-Carreño Escalona (caretaker)	7 October 2021 [17]
Cangzhou Mighty Lions	Liu Yan (caretaker)	End of caretaker spell	5 November 2021	13th	Svetozar Šapurić	5 November 2021 [18]
Wuhan	Li Xiaopeng	Signed by China	3 December 2021 [19]	11th	Li Jinyu	4 December 2021 [20]
Qingdao	Wu Jingui	Resigned	13 December 2021	16th	Yang Weijian (caretaker)	13 December 2021 [21]

China League One

Team	Outgoing manager	Manner of departure	Date of vacancy	Position in table	Incoming manager	Date of appointment
Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic	Kim Bong-gil	Mutual consent	29 November 2020 [22]	Pre-season	Óscar Céspedes	23 January 2021 [23]
Chengdu Rongcheng	José Carlos Granero	Mutual consent	7 December 2020 [24]		Seo Jung-won	12 December 2020 [25]
Zhejiang	Zheng Xiong	Mutual consent	31 December 2020 [26]		Jordi Vinyals	1 January 2021 [27]
Meizhou Hakka	Marcelo Rospide	Mutual consent	6 February 2021		Milan Ristić	6 February 2021
Zibo Cuju	Hou Zhiqiang	Mutual consent	19 February 2021		Park Chul	19 February 2021 [28]
Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard	Polat Kutulk (caretaker)	End of caretaker spell	30 March 2021		Pei Encai	30 March 2021 [29]
Nanjing City	Tang Bo	Mutual consent	18 April 2021		Fulvio Pea	18 April 2021 [30]
Beijing BSU	Su Maozhen	Mutual consent			Zhang Xu
Zibo Cuju	Park Chul	Mutual consent			Huang Hongyi
Wuhan Three Towns	Albert Garcia Xicota	Sacked	25 July 2021	5th	Pedro Morilla	25 July 2021 [lower-alpha 1] [31] [32]
Nantong Zhiyun	Xie Hui	Resigned	22 August 2021 [33]	7th	Cao Rui	26 August 2021 [34]
Kunshan	Gao Yao	Sacked	16 September 2021	9th	Sergio Zarco Díaz	16 September 2021 [35]
Xinjiang Tianshan Leopard	Pei Encai	Mutual consent	2 October 2021	17th	Qeriazdan Ashar	2 October 2021 [36]
Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic	Óscar Céspedes	Sacked	October 2021	7th	Feng Feng (caretaker)	October 2021
Guizhou	Chen Mao	Sacked	27 November 2021	9th	Yuan Yi	27 November 2021 [37]

1. Morilla was initially caretaker manager, but was then appointed as manager until the end of the season on 9 December 2021.

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