Qingdao Manatees prepare for new season
With a trip to Jinan on March 16, the Qingdao Manatees are well prepared for the upcoming Central League season. Prior to that, the Sea Bulls had already played against Taishan's first team and U21 team, winning two teaching matches with scores of 2-1 and 6-3.
Before arriving in Jinan, Qingdao Hainiu played five warm-up matches in Guangdong with a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses, including a 4-1 reversal against Chang'an Athletic and a 1-3 loss to Meizhou. The team remained undefeated when facing Central League 1 and Central League 2 teams, accomplishing the goals of practicing with matches, sharpening the lineup, and scouting players, as well as providing workout opportunities for young players. It is worth mentioning that Xu Yang, trained by Taishan Youth Training, is currently following the trial training of Qingdao Hainiu team, and the veteran is also expected to join Hainiu in the new season.
Yin Tiesheng, head coach of Qingdao Hainiu, said in an interview with Shandong TV Sports Channel, "The team is in a stable condition at the moment, which is crucial for us. We hope that through the joint efforts of the whole team, we will strive to achieve the goal of Super League in three years." It is reported that Qingdao Sea Cow team's attraction work is progressing well, the team has basically determined the foreign aid candidates, only waiting for the new foreign aid in place.
Veteran Yao Jiangshan and defender Wang Boren, who were with the team last season, have retired, while Xiao Zhi, Sha Yibo, Mou Pengfei, Du Wenxiang and other players with experience in the Chinese Super League will take up the role of the team's mainstay in the new season. Veteran Jiang Ning was not able to accompany the team in this spring training in Jinan due to injury, but his injury is not expected to affect the subsequent games.
Qingdao Manatees will play the third teaching match against Taishan on the afternoon of 24th, after which the team will return to Qingdao. The new season of the Central League is scheduled to officially start on April 30th.
