Controversy! Wang Dalei Wins CSL Best Goalkeeper Award Despite 6-0 Humiliation by Shanghai Shenhua
At 7:30 PM on January 8th, Beijing time, during the annual award ceremony held by the Chinese Super League (CSL), Wang Dalei from Shandong Taishan was successfully elected as the 2024 CSL Best Goalkeeper. This is also the second time he has won this honor after being named the league's best goalkeeper in 2023. However, Wang Dalei's winning of this award has also sparked significant controversy.
The list of candidates for the CSL Best Goalkeeper award this year includes a total of seven players. They are Yan Junling (Shanghai Port), Bao Yaxiong (Shanghai Shenhua), Han Jiaqi (Beijing Guoan), Wang Dalei (Shandong Taishan), Fang Jingqi (Tianjin Jinmen Tiger), Wang Guoming (Henan Team), and Liu Dianzuo (Wuhan Three Towns). Jian Tao from Chengdu Rongcheng, who finished third in the league, did not make the candidate list, which is one of the controversies.
Secondly, Wang Dalei's election as the best goalkeeper has become the biggest point of contention for the award. Last season, Wang Dalei had an average attendance rate in the league, starting only 23 games, keeping a clean sheet in 7 of them, with a total of 29 goals conceded.
Compared to Wang Dalei, Bao Yaxiong of Shanghai Shenhua performed much better. Last season, Bao Yaxiong started 29 games in the league, keeping a clean sheet in 15 of them. During his appearances, the team only conceded 18 goals. In terms of attendance rate, clean sheets, and goals conceded, Bao Yaxiong significantly outperformed Wang Dalei.
What is even more unacceptable to fans is that Wang Dalei did not gain any advantage over Bao Yaxiong in their direct competition. Last season, Shandong Taishan suffered a humiliating 0-6 defeat at the hands of Shanghai Shenhua away from home, with Wang Dalei as the goalkeeper. Looking back at this crushing defeat, Shanghai Shenhua only had 7 shots on target throughout the game, yet Wang Dalei conceded 6 goals in a single match. It is indeed puzzling that such a performance managed to surpass Bao Yaxiong to win the title of the CSL's best goalkeeper for the season.