Guangzhou derby

The Guangzhou derby or the Canton derby (simplified Chinese: 广州德比; traditional Chinese: 廣州打吡; pinyin: guǎngzhōu Débǐ) is the name given to a football derby contested by any two teams in the city of Guangzhou, China. The term specifically refers to individual matches between the teams, but can also be used to describe the general rivalry between the different clubs.[1] Guangzhou Apollo (predecessor of Guangzhou) against Guangzhou Matsunichi (1995–2000) and Guangzhou against Guangzhou City are ranked as two of the most ferocious Guangzhou Derbies.[2]

Clubs

As of 2025 season, there are four clubs in the Chinese Super League, China League One and China League Two that play in Guangzhou:

Former clubs in the highest league include Guangdong Hongyuan F.C. (Jia-A 1994-1997), Guangzhou Matsunichi F.C. (Jia-A 1996 & 1998-1999) and Guangzhou City (CSL 2012-2022). Guangzhou Baiyunshan F.C., Guangdong Xiongying F.C. and Guangdong Sunray Cave F.C. were formerly in the second-tier league.

Guangzhou Apollo v Guangzhou Matsunichi

History

When professionalism was established within the Chinese football leagues in 1994, it opened the door for more than one team within each region. This saw the establishment of Guangzhou Matsunichi which used to be the youth academy of Guangzhou FC but were sold off to Matsunichi Digital Holdings Limited.[3] Direct ties between these two teams also saw them share the Yuexiushan Stadium. In their first meeting in the first round of the 1995 Chinese FA Cup, Matsunichi beat Guangzhou FC 4–3 on aggregate.[4] For a brief period during the 1998 season, both teams were in the top tier with Matsunichi finishing higher than Guangzhou FC. On 9 August 1998 in the second Guangzhou Derby that season, a Chinese first-tier league record of five red cards and nine yellow cards was issued. Apollo's Peter Blazincic, Wen Junwu and Mai Guangliang as well as Matsunichi's Leonardo Jara and Tu Shengqiao were sent off during the match.[5] The rivalry reached its peak and subsequent conclusion during the 2000 season with both clubs in the second tier fighting relegation. On 15 July 2000, Guangzhou FC won 3–1 against Matsunichi which inevitability helped lead to Matsunichi's relegation, causing Matsunichi to disband at the end of the season.[6][7]

Official match results

  Guangzhou Apollo win   Draw   Guangzhou Matsunichi win

Statistics

Matches Apollo wins Draws Matsunichi wins Apollo goals Matsunichi goals
Chinese Jia-A League 4 2 1 1 8 6
Chinese Jia-B League 2 1 1 0 3 1
Chinese FA Cup 2 1 0 1 3 4
Official matches 8 4 2 2 14 11

Guangzhou v Guangzhou City

History

When Guangzhou R&F (predecessor of Guangzhou City) moved to the city of Guangzhou, a local derby, often referred to as the Canton derby, was born.[8] The first Canton derby was at Yuexiushan Stadium on 16 March 2012 as Guangzhou Evergrande (predecessor of Guangzhou) lost 2–0 against Guangzhou R&F.[9] Relations between the two club owners remain cordial off the pitch and club owners Xu Jiayin and Zhang Li were seen enjoying a meal together instead of watching the second derby in 2012 which Guangzhou R&F also won.[10][11]

Official match results

  Guangzhou win   Draw   Guangzhou city win

Statistics

Statistics as of 10 Dec 2022.

Matches Guangzhou wins Draws Guangzhou City wins Guangzhou goals Guangzhou City goals
Chinese Super League 22 10 5 7 45 32
Chinese FA Cup 4 2 1 1 14 9
Official matches 26 12 6 8 59 41

Top goalscorers

Below is the list of players who have scored at least two goals in official meetings.

Position Name Team Goals
1 Israel Eran Zahavi Guangzhou R&F 13
2 Brazil Alan Carvalho Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao 8
Brazil Ricardo Goulart Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao
Brazil Renatinho Guangzhou R&F
5 China Ai Kesen Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao 4
China Gao Lin Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao
Brazil Paulinho Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao
8 Morocco Abderrazak Hamdallah Guangzhou R&F 2
Spain Míchel Guangzhou R&F
Brazil Muriqui Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao
China Xiao Zhi Guangzhou R&F
China Yu Hanchao Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao

References

  1. ^ "Evergrand tie with R&F in Guangzhou Derby". Archived from the original on 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  2. ^ "铸就经典!细数历年广州德比 现今温情已取代硝烟". Archived from the original on 2018-08-24. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  3. ^ "广州松日". china.com.cn. Archived from the original on 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  4. ^ "China 1995 – FA Cup". RSSSF. 1999-12-06. Archived from the original on 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  5. ^ "7支广东球队闯荡中国职业足坛 南粤足球呈现复苏？". Sina. 2011-05-07. Archived from the original on 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  6. ^ "甲A时代广东德比回顾 巅峰96四队十二场德比". gpcfootball.163.com. 2008-04-03. Archived from the original on 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  7. ^ "China 2000". RSSSF. 2003-06-19. Archived from the original on 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  8. ^ "Yuexiushan News: Canton Derby". wildeastfootball.net. 2014-09-26. Archived from the original on 2015-09-09. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  9. ^ "张烁张远联袂发威 富力再爆冷2–0恒大". sports.sohu.com. 2012-03-16. Archived from the original on 2015-11-19. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  10. ^ "Drunken Club Owners Miss Guangzhou Derby". wildeastfootball.net. 2012-07-21. Archived from the original on 2015-09-26. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
  11. ^ "Yak Attack Nicks Guangzhou Derby for R&F : Wild East Football". wildeastfootball.net. Archived from the original on 2016-02-21. Retrieved 2016-03-12.