September 9: Guangdong Duo Chase Promotion! Guangzhou Leopard and Shenzhen Youth, the Red in Yuexiu Mountain Stands Tells a Story

The two Guangdong teams are pushing for promotion together, with emotional ties to Guangzhou football behind the story. Few expected this year's major China League One promotion contenders to be two teams from Guangdong.

Guangzhou Leopard and Shenzhen Youth have both entered the promotion zone, and they are only a few steps away from returning to the Chinese Super League.

In the China League One standings, Guangdong Guangzhou Leopard sit firmly at the top. With 50 points, they have basically secured a promotion spot.

Shenzhen Youth follow closely behind in second place with 42 points. They have been in excellent form recently, earning several big wins, and their promotion hopes are growing.

Guangxi Hengchen and Nantong Zhiyun behind them are still chasing, but they have already fallen significantly behind second place, making an overtake extremely difficult.

Guangzhou Leopard wear yellow at home, but the stands at Yuexiu Mountain often feature large groups of fans wearing red shirts to cheer for the team.

It is an interesting scene: yellow is Guangzhou Leopard's home color, while red was the representative color of the former Guangzhou team.

Many longtime Guangzhou fans have transferred their feelings for past Guangzhou football onto this new team. They come to Yuexiu Mountain both to watch Guangzhou Leopard and to remember the red era of the past.

This also reflects the current situation of Guangzhou football.

The story of the old Guangzhou team has ended, and Guangzhou Leopard have taken on the responsibility of reviving local football. But fans' emotions do not disappear easily, and the red figures are the most direct expression of those feelings. Fans are willing to enter Yuexiu Mountain to support the new team, while still holding onto memories of the past.

The rise of Shenzhen Youth has also been unexpected.

Last season, this team was struggling to avoid relegation. Few expected them to make a strong run this season and firmly occupy second place in the promotion race.

After changing coaches, the team's overall outlook has completely improved. They have performed steadily in both attack and defense, secured key victories one after another, and fought their way into the promotion battle.

Guangdong football is experiencing a rare highlight moment and could potentially see two teams promoted to the Chinese Super League together.

However, reality must also be considered. Several rounds remain in the league, and the advantage in the standings is not yet guaranteed.

China League One has no playoffs, and only the top two teams can be directly promoted. As long as the matches are not finished, changes remain possible. Shenzhen Youth still need to withstand pressure from the chasing teams and cannot afford any relaxation.

Promotion is only the first step.

Even if they successfully earn a Chinese Super League place, the challenges facing the two teams will only just begin.

The intensity of competition, schedule pressure, and foreign player setups in the Chinese Super League are on a completely different level from China League One. To establish themselves in the top division, they will need to continue improving their squads and strengthen their weaknesses.

The patches of red in the Yuexiu Mountain stands represent the memories of longtime fans.

Guangzhou Leopard and Shenzhen Youth carry the expectations of Guangdong supporters.

Fans hope the two Guangdong teams can maintain their momentum, complete promotion successfully, and allow Guangdong football to make waves in the Chinese Super League once again.