Shanghai SIPG, Wu Lei dominate glittering CSL awards

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03:43

For Shanghai SIPG, there's never been a better time to bask in the glow of being the most successful Chinese football team in a hugely fruitful year.

The Chinese Super League awards gala took place in Haikou, capital of China's southern Hainan Province, on Wednesday night, and perhaps unsurprisingly almost all the big awards are heading to the newly crowned champions' trophy cabinet.

Juventus legend Pavel Nedved presents the Best Player award to Wu Lei during the CSL gala in Haikou, south China, November 21. /VCG Photo

SIPG's Wu Lei, who scored 27 league goals in a breakthrough season, picked up two gongs for Best Player and Best Striker, while their ever-reliable custodian Yan Junling secured the Best Goalkeeper award.

Meanwhile, there were four spots in the Team of the Season reserved for SIPG players, after they pipped seven-time champions Guangzhou Evergrande to the league title.

Wu, Yan, Oscar and Hulk had all been included in the best XI, while the dethroned Evergrande boasted four players in defenders Feng Xiaoting, Zhang Linpeng and Li Xuepeng, along with former Barcelona star Paulinho.

Wu Lei was crowned Best Striker after scoring 27 goals in 29 domestic appearances for Shanghai SIPG last season. /VCG Photo

Shandong Luneng had two selections in fullback Wang Tong and midfielder Jin Jingdao, and Jiangsu Suning's only inclusion was 21-year-old Huang Zichang, who also stepped on to the stage to collect the Best Young Player award.

The Best Coach went to Li Xiaopeng, who guided an unfancied Luneng to third place, while his protege Jin Jingdao has been named the Most Popular Homegrown Player.

Yan Junling took home the Best Goalkeeper award following a brilliant season with Shanghai SIPG. /VCG Photo

Turning a new page

The biggest cheers of the night came when Wu Lei was presented with the Best Player award by Juventus legend Pavel Nedved. This deserved recognition came following his incredible display for SIPG this year, ending CSL foreign players' decade-long monopoly over the trophy.

The 27-year-old China international saw off competition from Guangzhou Evergrande talisman Paulinho and Beijing Guoan captain Renato Augusto to become the first homegrown player to win the award after Du Zhenyu of Changchun Yatai in 2007.

Wu emerged victorious after enjoying the most consistent of seasons. His 37 outings across all competitions saw him find the target 29 times – with 27 CSL efforts enough to scoop the Golden Boot.

Wu Lei declared that China has what it takes to qualify for the Qatar World Cup. /VCG Photo

"It's an honor to win this prestigious award,” said Wu. “I would like to thank Shanghai SIPG, the president, my teammates and everyone at the club for helping me to make this happen.

"From now on, I need to shoulder more responsibility in the national team and make more contributions to the upcoming Asian Cup and the Qatar World Cup qualifiers. I'm deeply convinced that World Cup qualification is not only my dream but the dream of all people in Chinese football."

Asked whether he is ready to step up to the plate to be a leader in this Chinese team amid the current doom and gloom, Wu said: "I think I'm ready. I will make more efforts to replicate my club form for the national team. I believe we have what it takes to qualify for the 2022 World Cup."