Zunqi Niu

This study examined longitudinal changes in goalkeeper match performance in the Chinese Super League from 2012 to 2024. A total of 6096 match observations from 270 professional goalkeepers were analysed. Running and technical data were obtained using a semi-automated optical tracking system, and seasonal trends were examined using mixed effects models. The results showed significant changes in both running and technical performance over time. In running performance, total distance (β = 0.90, p < .05), average speed (β = 0.056, p < .01), moderate speed running actions (β = 0.014, p < .001), and walking distance (β = 0.81, p < .001) increased significantly, whereas jump frequency decreased (β = 0.0038, p < .001). In technical performance, total passes (β = 0.032, p < .001), successful passes (β = 0.017, p < .001), long passes (β = 0.033, p < .001), and receptions (β = 0.0042, p < .001) increased significantly. By contrast, clearances (β = 0.0094, p < .001), average distribution length (β = 1.9, p < .001), and individual possessions (β = 0.0061, p < .05) decreased. These findings indicate that goalkeepers have become more involved in possession and build up play in modern professional football.

This study examines positional differences in physical and technical performance during the extremely demanding passage (EDP) in the Chinese Super League (CSL), using a 5-minute time window and a high-intensity running (HIR) threshold of ≥ 19.8 km/h. Data from 176 matches (n = 109 players, 438 observations) in the 2019 season were analysed using generalised mixed linear models. Results showed that: (1) The mean HIR distance during the EDP was 50%–60% higher than during the most demanding passage (MDP). (2) During the EDP, central defenders (CD) achieved the fewest total distance (695 ± 51 m) and HIR distance (251 ± 15 m) but excelled in ball control metrics, including the longest running with the ball average length (6.9 ± 8.7 m) and the highest forward passes (1.5 ± 1.2). (3) Central midfielders (CM) covered the most total distance (796 ± 46 m) and HIR distance (343 ± 27 m). These findings underscore the specific physical and technical demands of CDs and CMs compared to other positions during the EDP, necessitating role-specific strategies to optimise performance.

Founded in the year of 2004, the 20-year-old Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) serves as a representative of the development of Asian football. Research focused on match performance within the CSL has gained momentum in recent years. This study provides a systematic review of match performance analysis in the CSL, detailing the analytical methods, core topics, major findings, and current research trends. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), a structured search was conducted in the Web of Science (WOS), PubMed and Scopus databases using targeted keyword combinations, initially identifying 184 studies. After thorough screening, 45 studies were included in the review. These studies were classified into three categories: descriptive analyses, comparative analyses, and predictive analyses. Findings reveal that comparative and predictive analyses are dominant, while descriptive analysis remains essential for data contextualisation. Technical and physical performance analyses are the main research topics to date. Observations suggest the CSL is evolving toward a high-intensity style, with foreign players and substitutes playing pivotal roles. Contextual and environmental factors have been shown to substantially impact match performance. Future research will likely trend towards standardised definitions, speed zones and data, expanding studies on contextual and environmental factors with an emphasis on tactical analysis, goalkeeper performance, set-piece situations, and distinct phases of play.