Cangzhou has been drawn into the Chinese Super League relegation play-off, marking another low point in their ongoing struggles to stay in the top tier of Chinese football.
The draw was announced on Tuesday and will see Cangzhou take on Wuhan Zall in the first leg of the tie at the Zhejiang Stadium on May 21. The second leg will be played at the Cangzhou Sports Centre on June 4.
Cangzhou have endured a difficult season so far, having lost all but one of their league games this term. They have also struggled defensively, conceding 58 goals in 26 matches.
The club's head coach, Zhang Guoan, has admitted that the team is struggling with injuries and lack of form, and has called for more support from the fans and sponsors to help them turn things around.
Despite their current situation, Cangzhou have shown some promise in recent weeks, winning two of their last three league matches. However, they still face a tough task against Wuhan Zall, who have won eight of their last nine league games and have already qualified for the playoffs.
The relegation play-offs are always unpredictable and anything can happen in these matches. But it remains to be seen whether Cangzhou can pull off a surprise upset and secure their place in the top flight next season.