Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande may have league history this year by becoming the first team to repeat as CSL champs, but they would come home empty handed from the league's end of the year awards on Thursday. Runners up Jiangsu Sainty dominated the 2012 CSL Awards ceremony.
The award for best Chinese goal-scorer went to Shandong Luneng's forward Wang Yongpo, who had 10 goals this season. Wang, currently recovering from surgery. Romania's Cristian Danalache, who scored 23 goals for runners-up Jiangsu Sainty, picked up the award for top goal-scorer. He finished three clear atop the scoring race.
Jiangsu kept the honours coming as goalkeeper Deng Xiaofei was given the nod as best in the CSL this season. Beijing Guoan's Zhang Xizhe won the rookie of the year award, beating Shandong Luneng's Wang Tong and Changchun Yatai's Pei Shuai.
Coach of the year, went to Jiangsu benchboss Dragan, given the nod over Evergrande's Marcello Lippi despite Jiangsu finishing second. Tan Hai was named the best referee in the league.
And the player of the year award went to the Jiangs's Danalache, as he edged Evergrande's Argentine midfield star Dario Conca for the award. Jiangsu Sainty, the big winners on the night, winning 6 awards in all.
Copyright ©1999-2011 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.