China Super League champions Shandong Luneng will open their title defence against Laioning FC at home as the league kicks off on 3 March. The season, which winds up on 11 November breaks for six-weeks, from 22 June to 5 August, for the AFC Asian Cup 2007 which runs 7-29 July in South East Asia. AFCMedia reports that the Chinese Football Association has cancelled the 2007 CFA Cup to help the U-23 Olympic side prepare better for the Beijing Olympics next year. The number of midweek league games has also been reduced to three match days upon the request of clubs.