Encouraging signs are emerging for China's long-suffering soccer fans despite the national team's failure yet again to qualify for the World Cup and the continued struggle of its top clubs in Asian competition.

On the domestic front, the 2025 season has offered some positivity.

The Chinese Super League comes to an end Saturday. If Shanghai Port, coached by former Australia international Kevin Muscat, can manage a draw in Dalian it retain the title. If not, city rival Shanghai Shenhua, which is in second place and two points behind Port, could take advantage.

More than 60,000 fans are expected at Dalian to close a season that has averaged about 26,000 in attendance — the best among the top Asian leagues and higher than a decade ago, when Chinese clubs were spending record prices on world

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