Behind the hot market stands an impenetrable Highland legend. With a 2-0 victory over Dalian Yingbo, the team has remained undefeated at home for two consecutive seasons. Looking back at the last season of the Chinese B League, Yunnan Yukun had a brilliant home record of 7 wins and 4 draws; this season, that brilliant record jumped to 12 wins and 3 draws. Such stunning results have led Yuxi fans to flock to the stadium, viewing it as a new and trendy way of life. Yuxi, at an altitude of about 1,700 meters above sea level, is located in a sub-plateau terrain, and Yunnan Yukun's home stadium is built on the mountain. A club source said bluntly, "Every 100-200 meters above sea level, the home field advantage becomes more and more obvious."
And Yunnan Hongta, with Kunming's 1,800 meters of altitude, has created an intimidating Devil's Home Stadium that has become a force to be reckoned with in the league. Now, Yunnan Yukun has also maximized its geographical advantage. So, next season, can the myth of undefeated at home continue? The team responded easily, "The strength of the Chinese Super League team is naturally better than that of the Chinese A League, but we will still do our best to defend the glory of the home field."
However, they also admitted that there is still a significant gap between Yukon and the oldest and strongest teams in the Chinese Super League. Next season, the team's goal is to stabilize the Super League. To achieve this goal, the team and the club must be fully upgraded. I'm afraid it's difficult to support the long term with the home field advantage of the plateau alone. In the past two seasons, Yukon was undefeated at home in the league, but was knocked out twice by Chinese Super League teams at home in the F.A.C.C. Cup, losing to Shenhua in 2023, and defeating the Jinmen Tigers in a penalty shootout in 2024.
On the road to the Chinese Super League, a comprehensive upgrade is imperative
This season, Yunnan Yukun invested more than 120 million yuan, can be called China's A-class "giant". However, in the Chinese Super League, this may only be the level of "relegation". Recently, the club's investors have been actively negotiating with the local government, aiming to develop a detailed budget to protect the team's path to the Chinese Super League next season.
In terms of players, the foreign aid quota will be fully utilized next season. This season's three foreign aiders and top scorer Mu Xiekui will stay in the team, and the core of the midfield, Jonicha, is expected to accompany the team to play in the Chinese Super League. The team will also bring in new foreign aiders, while making personnel adjustments in the backline and forward line. In addition, the club is actively contacting experienced Chinese Super League veterans. Yukon's stable club environment and healthy team culture are attractive to many Chinese Super League players who have long been in arrears.
Head coach Anderson has entered the preparation for the Chinese Super League in advance after leading his team to beat Suzhou Dongwu and lock up the title of the Chinese Super League in advance. He has not only observed a number of Super League matches, but also examined next season's opponents in advance. Anderson said the biggest difference between the Chinese Super League and the Chinese League One is the diversity of technical and tactical styles. Spanish coaches focus on pass control, Korean coaches emphasize rhythm and speed, and local Chinese coaches use other tactics, making him look forward to the excitement of the future Chinese Super League.
The club's general manager Guo Guangqi believes that the level of training is the key to the team's foothold: "It is necessary to ensure that the team reaches the level of the Chinese Super League through winter training, including personnel adjustments and training." Therefore, before the end of the league, Yukun has initially formulated the preparation plan for the next season. on November 3, after the end of the China First Division League, the team will take a three-week holiday, followed by the immediate organization of the winter training.
In terms of ladder construction, Yunnan Yukun will expand its 5-tier youth ladder to 6-tier with reference to the Chinese Super League entry standards. In addition, the club is in discussion with Yunnan Normal University and Yunnan Agricultural University to form a women's soccer team. In terms of stadium hardware facilities, the club is expanding the Yuxi Highland Sports Center, increasing the existing 25,000 seats to 30,000 and upgrading the flow of home matches.
In order to facilitate the fans in neighboring cities to watch the game, Yukon Club has communicated with the competition management department of the CFA, hoping that the home matches of the Chinese Super League in the coming year will be arranged on Fridays, Saturdays or Sunday afternoons to ensure that they do not affect the work on Monday. It is calculated that if Yukon's home matches are arranged on Fridays and Saturdays as much as possible, attendance will increase by at least 3,000-5,000 people per match.
