The Henan Jianye football team, known as the "big fish" in China's professional football league (CSL), has avoided relegation for another season after securing a 1-0 victory over their rivals, Shandong Luneng Taishan, on Sunday.

The match at the Shahe Stadium was the final game of the 2021 CSL season and was crucial for both teams' survival hopes. Despite being down to ten men for most of the match due to a red card, Henan managed to hold onto their lead until the end to secure their place in the top flight next year.

"This is a big win for us," said Henan coach Lu Zhenyu after the match. "We knew it would be tough against such a strong opponent, but we stuck together and fought hard to get the result we needed."

Henan's victory comes as a relief for fans who had been hoping for a successful conclusion to the season, with many believing that the club could have struggled without key players like Zhang Yizhou and Guo Wei, who were both suspended for the final game.

Despite the loss of these key players, Henan still managed to secure their place in the top flight by finishing third in the regular season, which was enough to qualify them for the playoffs.

"The fact that we managed to avoid relegation is a testament to the hard work of our players and staff," added Lu. "We will continue to work hard throughout the winter break to prepare for next season and make sure we are ready to compete at the highest level."

With the success of Henan Jianye, it seems that the CSL may not be too far away from returning to its former glory. The Chinese Super League has always been one of the most competitive leagues in Asia, and with the addition of new teams and players, there is no doubt that the future looks bright for the league.