The Tianjin Tigers have secured their place in the Chinese Professional Football League (CSL) after securing their second consecutive season in the relegation zone.
After a disappointing start to the season, the Tigers managed to turn things around and secure a top-six finish in the regular season. However, they were unable to avoid relegation in the playoffs, with a 2-1 loss to the Liaoning Whowin in the semi-finals.
Despite missing out on promotion, the Tigers' manager, Liang Jia, expressed his satisfaction with the team's efforts this season. "We've done our best to fight for every point, and we're proud of what we've achieved," he said.
For fans of the club, the news of their relegation was not unexpected. The Tigers have struggled to find success since their promotion to the CSL last year, and their struggles continued this season.
However, the team's players and staff will be relieved that they avoided the bottom spot, which would have been a difficult position to be in. With the CSL's playoff system, there is always a chance for teams to climb back up through the ranks, so it remains to be seen whether or not the Tigers can bounce back next season.
Overall, while the Tigers' season may have ended with a bitter taste, they can take comfort in knowing that they did their best and left everything on the pitch.