Talking Balls: Winners, Losers and New Starts

The Winter Olympics is well underway. China’s been racking up the medals – providing that racking up suggests no more than five. Zhou Yang and Wang Meng blitzed the ladies short track speed skating in the 1500 and 500 meter categories respectively. Wang was disqualified in the Semi-final of the 500m. China’s other gold (or is that two) came from figure skating pair Zhao Hongbo and Shen Xue. The married skaters subsequently retired after reaching their career goal. This will give hope to the pair they beat into silver, Tong Jian and Pang Qing. Finally, third place on the podium was 500m speed skater Wang Beixing.

Snowboard half-pipe medal prospect Liu Jiayu came in a respectable fourth, while teammate Sun Zhifeng ended seventh. And so to curling, everyone’s new favorite sport. China’s men have been getting brushed aside. Played eight, won two, lost six. The good news? They are ahead of Team USA. China’s women recovered from an opening loss to post five wins and three losses and look on course to reach the Semi-finals. These take place on Feb 25; you may want to practice your sickly voice for ringing work.

HJ Watch: That’s Hao Junmin by the way, Schalke 04’s newest Chinese star. He made his debut away to Wolfsburg on Sunday. The team lost 2-1 with Hao in the unfamiliar role of right back. German football magazine gave him 4/10. Well done to the boy.

The Chinese press are acting surprised because they all thought Schalke coach Felix Magath didn't like Chinese players. Former Beijing Guoan striker Yang Chen was always one of the main scorers for Frankfurt until 1999, when Magath took over. After that Yang Chen was always on the bench.

ZZ Watch: Zheng Zhi’s not having the best of times in Glasgow. He’s made two appearances from the bench in the last four Celtic games. It could be worse for him in Scotland, he could be Rangers’ Allan MacGregor.

Better news for Scotsmen is that Maurice Ross, a former Glasgow Rangers player, is Beijing Guoan’s newest signing. Here is an interview with him. You may be shocked to hear that he is no relation to any of the Griffiths family. He’s taken Ryan Griffiths place on the AFC Champions League squad as Hong Yuanshuo says "We need a defender," and he’s the boss. The laowai in Guoan’s continental squad are Darko Matic (Bosnia), Erivaldo Antonio Saraiva (aka Otto, Brazil), Joel Griffiths (Australia) and Maurice Ross (Scotland). Fans are in for a feast of football.

Guoan start tonight against Melbourne Victory. Good luck getting a ticket. If you did you will be pleased to know that Fubar is open and Chad’s welcoming fans. No taking your drinks away from the bar though.

Finally, here are the new kits for the CSL season. All of them are made by Nike. It’s like Nike signed a deal with the league. Odd. If you want to know the list is: (from top) Beijing Guoan, Shanghai Shenhua, Shandong Luneng, Tianjin Teda, Henan Construction, Changchun Yatai, Changsha Ginde, Chengdu Blades, Dalian Shide, Jiangsu Sainty, Liaoning Hongyun, Qingdao Jonoon, Shaanxi Neo-China Chanba, Shenzhen Hongzuan.

Manchester United failure Dong Fangzhuo has set out to try again in Europe. This time the team is Legia Warsaw. Let's hope he makes more than one appearance. Also, the corruption crackdown at the CFA has had results. Guangzhou GPC and Chengdu Blades were demoted to the second division, while second division team Qingdao Hailifeng have been disqualified altogether. No new Nike kits for them.