Qingdao, the former soccer town, has finally returned to the Chinese Super League stage with a resilient heart, filling a corner of the Chinese Super League map.
One year to become a gathering, two years to become a city, and three years to become Chengdu. This is not a reference to Chengdu, but a story of a city's arduous journey from nothing to something, from tenderness to maturity. It cannot be separated from the hard work of its predecessors, and also relies on the unremitting efforts of its descendants. The city may have been bathed in splendor and glory, but it has also inevitably suffered from neglect and indifference.
All this, however, we call the history of the city.
In the world of soccer, even though the history is full of ups and downs, there are still many cities that have inherited the spirit of soccer, such as Dalian, Qingdao, Meizhou, Yanbian and so on.
After nine years, Qingdao Hainiu Football Club has finally returned to the Chinese Super League family - in the new league map, Qingdao, the city of soccer, is once again revitalized.
How did they spend those nine years?
Thirty years of spring and fall, the fire is never extinguished, the flag never falls.
In 2013, Qingdao Hainiu was relegated from the Chinese Super League to the Central League; in 2016, it was relegated another level to the Central League.
On this long and winding road, they fell from the Super League to the second level, nearly parting with the word "professional". Under the impact of golden dollar soccer, people can't help but wonder whether the power of the Zhongneng Group alone can still support them.
Meanwhile, Qingdao Yellow Sea team is emerging in the same city, rushing to the Chinese Super League - the competition for resources and the focus of attention is obvious.
From the Super League to the First Division and then to the Second Division, it would seem unnecessary to relegate again.
At this critical moment, the team either chooses to transfer off-site or disband in place. If the players are saddled with unpaid debts, even if the owner is well-intentioned, it is difficult to escape.
Since 2004, when Zhongneng Group took over the Qingdao soccer team, they have been at a crossroads. Letting go and going their own way, or biting the bullet and staying dormant, the two choices are in front of us.
Qiao Weiguang, the owner of Zhongneng Group, chose the latter.
On January 21, 2021, Qingdao Jonoon Football Club passed the examination of the neutral name evaluation group of CFA and completed the change in the industrial and commercial department, officially restoring the club name - "Qingdao Sea Cow Football Club".
Qingdao Sea Cow was founded in 1993, and the name "Sea Cow" was restored in 2021 - the city has witnessed the rise and fall of countless professional teams in the past thirty years, while the flag of Qingdao Sea Cow has always stood firm.
Compared to teams like Beijing Guoan, Shanghai Shenhua, Henan Jianye and Shandong Luneng, Qingdao Hainiu has experienced ups and downs, but has always stayed in the ranks of professional soccer.
Under the Yugutai, the water of the Qingjiang River gurgles, and I don't know how many pedestrians spill their tears on the bank.
Qingdao, a city with well-developed manufacturing industry, has given birth to famous enterprises such as Hisense, Haier and Tsingtao Beer. To accomplish the manufacturing industry, we need craftsmanship. Considering soccer as a product, why don't we promote the spirit of craftsmanship when the product is in the doldrums?
Thirty years of storms, ups and downs, but the fire is not extinguished, the flag does not fall, which is the city's soccer heritage.
Henan Jianye, thirty years also had been relegated to the Central A, Central B; Guangzhou soccer, in the decade from 1998 to 2008, experienced a long sub-league ice age; Dalian soccer, after the glory, lost, and even once belonged to their own eight trophies are difficult to return.
Qingdao soccer, too.
Veteran marshals and veterans, working together.
Today's Qingdao Hainiu brings together many veterans. Jiang Ning, Zheng Long and other players, no matter where they are, always carry the love of hometown soccer in their hearts.
Jiang Ning, who played for Guangzhou Evergrande, won the Chinese Super League title with the team. Talking about the transfer experience, he said, "Injured for so long, Li guide still thinks about me, buy me just fine."
Zheng Long, once a big name player for Qingdao Zhongneng, left to join Dalian and eventually returned to Qingdao. He lamented, "No matter how far you go, your hometown retreat is there."
I'm going back to the "countryside".
Sometimes we think that certain words are empty, such as history and heritage. But in reality, they are so clear when applied to individuals or events.
If there was no soccer, no tradition, no professional team, Qingdao players like Jiang Ning and Zheng Long might have chosen to retire after making their way in the world. But now, they can still shine for Qingdao Hainiu.
As for Yin Tiesheng, he started coaching Shandong Taishan "Iron Egg" from the A A League, from the young manager transformed into a veteran manager, nearly 30 years later is still sticking to the first team, become the only.
Nowadays, Qingdao Hainiu not only has coaches and veterans, but also young players. 21-year-old Xie Wenneng is starting to make a name for himself as a striker, while Sun Xu has grown into a stalwart of the defense.
For Qingdao Hainiu, returning to the Chinese Super League and bringing Qingdao Football City back to the Chinese Super League map is undoubtedly something to rejoice about. What's more worth cherishing is how this team, which kept retreating from the onslaught of golden dollar soccer, didn't give up, persevered and finally achieved its goal.
Isn't this a story to ponder?
