Guangzhou derby


The Guangzhou derby or the Canton derby is the name given to a football derby contested by any two teams in the city of Guangzhou, China. The term specifically refers to individual matches between the teams, but can also be used to describe the general rivalry between the different clubs. Guangzhou Apollo against Guangzhou Matsunichi and Guangzhou against Guangzhou City are ranked as two of the most ferocious Guangzhou Derbies.

Clubs

As of 2026 season, there are three clubs in the Chinese Super League, China League One and China League Two that play in Guangzhou:
Guangzhou F.C., established in 1954, was a former professional football club based in Guangzhou with the longest history in the city, other former clubs in the highest league include Guangdong Hongyuan F.C., Guangzhou Matsunichi F.C. and Guangzhou City. Guangzhou Baiyunshan F.C., Guangdong Xiongying F.C. and Guangdong Sunray Cave F.C. were formerly in the second-tier league.

Guangzhou Apollo v Guangzhou Matsunichi

History

When professionalism was established within the Chinese football leagues in 1994, it opened the door for more than one team within each region. This saw the establishment of Guangzhou Matsunichi which used to be the youth academy of Guangzhou FC but were sold off to Matsunichi Digital Holdings Limited. Direct ties between these two teams also saw them share the Yuexiushan Stadium. In their first meeting in the first round of the 1995 Chinese FA Cup, Matsunichi beat Guangzhou FC 4–3 on aggregate. For a brief period during the 1998 season, both teams were in the top tier with Matsunichi finishing higher than Guangzhou FC. On 9 August 1998 in the second Guangzhou Derby that season, a Chinese first-tier league record of five red cards and nine yellow cards was issued. Apollo's Peter Blazincic, Wen Junwu and Mai Guangliang as well as Matsunichi's Leonardo Jara and Tu Shengqiao were sent off during the match. The rivalry reached its peak and subsequent conclusion during the 2000 season with both clubs in the second tier fighting relegation. On 15 July 2000, Guangzhou FC won 3–1 against Matsunichi which inevitability helped lead to Matsunichi's relegation, causing Matsunichi to disband at the end of the season.

Official match results

SeasonCompetitionDateHome teamResultAway team
1995Chinese FA Cup25 June 1995Guangzhou Matsunichi4–2Guangzhou Apollo
1995Chinese FA Cup2 July 1995Guangzhou Apollo1–0Guangzhou Matsunichi
1996Chinese Jia-A League5 May 1996Guangzhou Matsunichi1–4Guangzhou Apollo
1996Chinese Jia-A League8 September 1996Guangzhou Apollo1–0Guangzhou Matsunichi
1998Chinese Jia-A League9 April 1998Guangzhou Apollo2–2Guangzhou Matsunichi
1998Chinese Jia-A League9 August 1998Guangzhou Matsunichi3–1Guangzhou Apollo
2000Chinese Jia-B League15 April 2000Guangzhou Apollo0–0Guangzhou Matsunichi
2000Chinese Jia-B League16 July 2000Guangzhou Matsunichi1–3Guangzhou Apollo

Guangzhou v Guangzhou City

History

When Guangzhou R&F moved to the city of Guangzhou, a local derby, often referred to as the Canton derby, was born. The first Canton derby was at Yuexiushan Stadium on 16 March 2012 as Guangzhou Evergrande lost 2–0 against Guangzhou R&F. Relations between the two club owners remain cordial off the pitch and club owners Xu Jiayin and Zhang Li were seen enjoying a meal together instead of watching the second derby in 2012 which Guangzhou R&F also won.

Official match results

SeasonCompetitionDateHome teamResultAway team
2012Chinese Super League16 March 2012Guangzhou R&F2–0Guangzhou Evergrande
2012Chinese Super League15 July 2012Guangzhou Evergrande0–1Guangzhou R&F
2013Chinese Super League27 April 2013Guangzhou R&F0–2Guangzhou Evergrande
2013Chinese Super League25 August 2013Guangzhou Evergrande1–0Guangzhou R&F
2014Chinese Super League9 May 2014Guangzhou Evergrande0–1Guangzhou R&F
2014Chinese Super League28 September 2014Guangzhou R&F3–4Guangzhou Evergrande
2015Chinese Super League23 May 2015Guangzhou Evergrande2–2Guangzhou R&F
2015Chinese Super League21 September 2015Guangzhou R&F1–2Guangzhou Evergrande
2016Chinese Super League1 April 2016Guangzhou Evergrande2–0Guangzhou R&F
2016Chinese Super League20 July 2016Guangzhou R&F2–1Guangzhou Evergrande
2016Chinese FA Cup semi-finals17 August 2016Guangzhou Evergrande2–2Guangzhou R&F
2016Chinese FA Cup semi-finals21 September 2016Guangzhou R&F1–3Guangzhou Evergrande
2017Chinese Super League8 April 2017Guangzhou Evergrande2–2Guangzhou R&F
2017Chinese Super League29 July 2017Guangzhou R&F4–2Guangzhou Evergrande
2017Chinese FA Cup fifth round19 July 2017Guangzhou R&F4–2Guangzhou Evergrande
2017Chinese FA Cup fifth round1 August 2017Guangzhou Evergrande7–2Guangzhou R&F
2018Chinese Super League2 March 2018Guangzhou Evergrande4–5Guangzhou R&F
2018Chinese Super League5 August 2018Guangzhou R&F2–4Guangzhou Evergrande
2019Chinese Super League6 April 2019Guangzhou Evergrande2–0Guangzhou R&F
2019Chinese Super League20 July 2019Guangzhou R&F0–5Guangzhou Evergrande
2020Chinese Super League30 July 2020Guangzhou R&F0–5Guangzhou Evergrande
2020Chinese Super League4 September 2020Guangzhou Evergrande2–1Guangzhou R&F
2021Chinese Super League20 April 2021Guangzhou2–2Guangzhou City
2021Chinese Super League24 July 2021Guangzhou City3–3Guangzhou
2022Chinese Super League13 September 2022Guangzhou City1–0Guangzhou
2022Chinese Super League10 December 2022Guangzhou0–0Guangzhou City

Statistics

Statistics as of 10 Dec 2022.
MatchesGuangzhou winsDrawsGuangzhou City winsGuangzhou goalsGuangzhou City goals
Chinese Super League2210574532
Chinese FA Cup4211149
Official matches2612685941

Top goalscorers

Below is the list of players who have scored at least two goals in official meetings.
PositionNameTeamGoals
1