title: 1998 Chinese Jia-A League
text: # 1998 Chinese Jia-A League
  
  The 1998 Chinese Jia-A League (known as Marlboro Jia-A League for sponsorship reasons) was the fifth season of professional association football and the 37th top-tier overall league season held in China. The league was expanded to 14 teams and started on March 22, 1998, and ending on October 25, 1998, where it saw Dalian Wanda win their third consecutive league title.
  
  ## Promotion and relegation
  
  Teams promoted from 1997 Chinese Jia-B League
  
  * Wuhan Yaqi (Renamed Wuhan Hongjinlong)
  * Shenzhen Pingan
  * Shenyang Haishi
  * Guangzhou Songri
  
  Teams relegated from 1997 Chinese Jia-A League
  
  * Tianjin Lifei
  * Guangdong Hongyuan
  
  ## League standings
  
  | Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | Dalian Wanda | 26 | 19 | 5 | 2 | 64 | 16 | +48 | 62 | 1999–2000 Asian Club Championship qualification |
  | 2 | Shanghai Shenhua | 26 | 11 | 12 | 3 | 43 | 23 | +20 | 45 | |
  | 3 | Beijing Guoan | 26 | 10 | 13 | 3 | 32 | 19 | +13 | 43 | |
  | 4 | Guangzhou Songri | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 23 | 33 | −10 | 36 | |
  | 5 | Sichuan Quanxing | 26 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 32 | 34 | −2 | 34 | |
  | 6 | Qingdao Yizhong Hainiu | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 24 | 30 | −6 | 32 | |
  | 7 | Qianwei Huandao | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 32 | |
  | 8 | Wuhan Hongjinlong | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 26 | 33 | −7 | 32 | |
  | 9 | Shandong Luneng | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 39 | 40 | −1 | 32 | |
  | 10 | Shenyang Haishi | 26 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 28 | −9 | 31 | |
  | 11 | Yanbian Aodong | 26 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 25 | 31 | −6 | 31 | |
  | 12 | Shenzhen Pingan | 26 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 29 | 43 | −14 | 30 | |
  | 13 | August 1st | 26 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 27 | 37 | −10 | 29 | Relegated to Jia B League |
  | 14 | Guangzhou Apollo | 26 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 25 | 41 | −16 | 20 | Relegated to Jia B League |
  
  ## Awards
  
  Player of the year (Golden Ball Award)
  
  * Hao Haidong (Dalian Wanda)
  
  Top scorer (Golden Boot Award)
  
  * Hao Haidong (Dalian Wanda)
  
  Manager of the year
  
  * Xu Genbao (Dalian Wanda)
  
  Best Referee
  
  * Lu Jun (Beijing)
  