The 2023 Dalian Professional F.C. season was the 14th season and the last season in team history. The team was in deep trouble throughout the season, and eventually relegated by winning only 3 league matches. The team failed to acquire entry into the 2024 league due to historical debts, and ceased operation on 17 January 2024.[1]
Overview
The CFA decided to ban Dalian Pro from registering new players at the beginning of January for previous salary disputes.[2]
The team started winter training on 8 February for one week, then moved to Haian on 15 February. Multiplayers left the team as their contracts were expired.[3]
As reported, Dalian Pro would be probably banned from transfer by FIFA for one or a few windows for violations in the previous season.[4]
Lin Liangming entered national team's training squad on 26 February. Former Dalian Pro player Sun Guowen was also included.[5]
On 13 March, the team moved again to Shanghai for another stage of preseason training.
Yan Xiangchuang scored the first and the second goal of the 2023 Chinese Super League,[6] setting the team on a flying start. This victory also broke another awkward record that, throughout their Super League seasons (2012–2014, 2018–present), this was the first time that Dalian Pro could win their first match of the season. Previously there were 5 defeats and 3 draws.[7]
Yan Xiangchuang was awarded Player of the Month. At the age of 36, he showed efficiency by scoring three goals out of four matches with only four shots in total.[8]
Dalian Pro was unable to win any match since the first victory. They experienced five consecutive defeats and six consecutive draws in June and July. The team slowly dropped to the relegation zone. The team was able to snatch a tie from league leaders Shanghai Port, but also had desperate matches against reletation opponents Qingdao Hainiu and Nantong Zhiyun.
Gui Bing, chairman of the team, was taken into custody in September.[9] The reason was believed to be connected with Dalian Shanhai Group, the investor of another local football team Dalian Zhixing F.C., as the enterprise was accused of illegal fundraising.[10]
Dalian Pro acquired their second winning upon entering August by a 2-1 victory against Shanghai Shenhua, and the third against relegation opponent Shenzhen. However, the team was unable to acquire another single victory, even when the last two opponents played passive matches.[11] In the last round, if Dalian Pro wins while Nantong finish without victory, Dalian would able to stay in the league. However, as Tsonev missed a critical penalty, the team lost 2-3 to Shanghai Port, finishing this miserable season with a second reletagion in the past 3 seasons.[12]
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.
Stadium: Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium Attendance: 36,673 Referee: Huang Yi Assistant referees: Shi Xiang, Kong Lingda Fourth official: Ma Yunkun
