On December 4, the Happy Island Football Base in Zhangzhou will welcome the grand opening of the 2022 season of the CFA U21 League Stage 2 Championship Group and the first to eighth qualifying matches. On the eve of the tournament, the head coaches and players of the eight participating teams gathered at a press conference, showing the importance they attached to the event. Zhai Biao, a former international footballer of Beijing Guoan U21 team, said the team will devote themselves to the tournament with a normal mindset and pay more attention to the players to accumulate valuable experience through the tournament.
The eight teams participating in the tournament include Shenzhen U21s, Guangzhou U21s, Qingdao Sea Bulls U21s, Beijing Guoan U21s, Shandong Taishan U21s, Shanghai Port U21s, Shanghai Shenhua U21s and Changchun Yatai U21s. Yang Xiaowei, representative of the Shenzhen U21 team, who made his debut at the press conference, said that the team will cherish the opportunity to return to the field of play, and even though most of the players are still 17 years old, they believe that they will be able to create a good result after the first phase of training. The other seven teams are also strong, and the team will learn and work hard to improve.
Liang Guang, head coach of Guangzhou U21 team, emphasized that youth training is the foundation of professional soccer and the club will do its best to consolidate this foundation and pursue long-term development. Facing the first round match against Shenzhen U21s, Liang Guang believes that Guangzhou U21s will do their best to win despite the young age of their opponents.
Qingdao Hainiu U21 team, the "dark horse" of this year's league and the only first division team to advance, and their head coach Xu Xiang said in a press conference that although some of the players were unable to participate in the second phase of the tournament, which is not uncommon for professional clubs, these difficulties would not shake the team's dedication to the tournament and their confidence. The success of Qingdao Hainiu's first team will provide more players with the opportunity to train at a high level stage.
Zhai Biao, head coach of Guoan U21 team, kept his usual low profile as the head coach of the best team in the first stage. He said the team will keep a normal mind and move forward steadily, and is committed to letting the players accumulate more match experience. Player Hu Jiaqi also said that he will combine his experience in the AFC Champions League to contribute to the team's victory.
Shandong Taishan U21 team, which was damaged in the first stage, added to its squad in the second stage, with the club appointing former U19 head coach Yu Yuanwei. He had won the U19 division of the inaugural National Youth Football League. Yu Yuanwei said he believes the team is competitive despite the second stage of the league. Goalkeeper Cao Zheng also said he will take more responsibility as a goalkeeper.
Shanghai Seaport U21s coach Chen Xufeng revealed that the team has added new members, which will help improve the team's strength. Yu Tao, the coach of Shanghai Shenhua U21 team, revealed that the team has brought in some strong players and will face Changchun Yatai U21 team in the first match. Yu Tao said that he will show Shenhua's fighting spirit and strive for a good start while learning from the rival coach Sun Maofeng.
Sun Maofeng, head coach of Changchun Yatai U21 team, emphasized that every participating team should not be underestimated, and the team needs to go all out. Top scorer Bai Xuesong also said that he will carry out the coach's intention and work side by side with his teammates to win.
