Reigning champions Dalian Shide will sit out round one of the 2006 China Super League as the fifteen-team tournament gets under way this weekend.

The eight-time Chinese champions open their defence of the title with a round two home match against local rivals Liaoning FC on 18 March, with one team to rest in each round after Sichuan Guancheng went broke in the close-season period.

The action gets under way at 15:00 Beijing time this Saturday with Qingdao Zhongneng at home to Beijing Guo'an. Half an hour later Chongqing Qiche host Liaoning FC, who according to recent reports in the Chinese sports media face the same fate as Sichuan Guancheng, meaning the top-flight could be a fourteen-team affair before a ball is kicked.

Xiamen Lanshi, who have been active on the transfer market with the pre-season signings of 2005 top scorer Branko Jelic and ex-China forward Yang Chen, mark their return to the top flight with a home match against title contenders Shandong Luneng.

Last year's surprise outfit Wuhan Huanghelou begin their second CSL campaign at home to Shenyang Ginde. Also on Saturday, Xi'an Chanba (formerly Inter Shanghai) take on ex-city rivals Shanghai Liancheng Zobon in their first competitive match since relocating to Shaanxi province.

China captain Li Weifeng is set for his first appearance for Shanghai Shenhua on Sunday as last season's runners-up entertain newly-promoted Changchun Yatai at Hongkou Stadium, whilst Shenzhen Kingway are at home to Tianjin Teda in their first match under the sponsorship of the part-Heineken-owned beer brand.

China Super League 2006 round one fixtures:
11 Mar 2006 15:00 Qingdao Zhongneng v Beijing Guo'an
11 Mar 2006 15:30 Chongqing Qiche v Liaoning FC
11 Mar 2006 15:30 Xiamen Lanshi v Shandong Luneng
11 Mar 2006 15:35 Xi'an Chanba v Shanghai Liancheng Zobon
11 Mar 2006 15:35 Wuhan Huanghelou v Shenyang Ginde
12 Mar 2006 15:35 Shanghai Shenhua v Changchun Yatai
12 Mar 2006 19:35 Shenzhen Kingway v Tianjin Teda
Rest: Dalian Shide

(Sinosoc.com March 8, 2006)