Qujing Yibu's AFC Cup journey
In the fierce competition of the F.A.C. Cup, Qujing Yibu team competed with Shanghai Shenshui, Qianxinan Lufengtang and other strong teams in the same group. In the end, with an outstanding record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, QUJING Yibu team successfully ranked in the main round of the FA Cup, bringing infinite surprises to the soccer fans in this city.
The event of the FA Cup had the whole city of Qujing abuzz for a while.
As one of the participating teams in last season's FA Cup, Qujing Yibu hosted Chinese B-team Jiangxi Black Horse Youth in the first round of last year's FA Cup, marking the first time that Qujing's local soccer team made its debut in a high-level professional competition organized by the FA. Thousands of fans flocked to the stadium at the Qujing Culture and Sports Park to cheer on the team and ignite the city's soccer passion.
The Qujing footballers saw that AFC Cup match as a valuable opportunity. Playing against strong teams is beneficial to the team's growth, and they are eager for more high-intensity matches in the future. Captain Li Linlin said.
With the FA Cup draw announced, Qujing Step Team will face Xi'an E-League in the first round. According to the rules of the tournament, the team that advances from the qualification round will be prioritized to get the right to play at home, which means that this year's FA Cup will once again be settled in Qujing, Yunnan Province.
Li Linlin said: "Last year's AFC Cup left a deep impression on us and everyone felt the endless charm and influence of soccer. This year, the club has been actively communicating with the Yunnan Province and Qujing Football Association, and we will strive to be even more exciting than last year if we organize the FA Cup again. We plan to incorporate the cultural elements of Yunnan's ethnic minorities into the match to create a well-prepared match that will bring a new visual feast to the audience."
Located in the eastern part of Yunnan Province, Qujing had hosted the Four-Nation Football Championship in 2018, where China's U21 men's soccer team played Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Myanmar. In addition, Qujing has also successfully hosted an international invitational tournament between China's women's soccer team and Italy's women's soccer team, accumulating rich experience in organizing tournaments.
Qujing has perfect training facilities and competition venues, and we warmly welcome teams from all over the world to come and exchange ideas and dedicate a wonderful soccer feast for the local people." Leader Li Forest said enthusiastically.
Using youth training as a cornerstone to set the stage for juniors and retired players
On the field, the Qujing Yibu players fight for victory. Off the field, they give back to the community as coaches and are committed to training local youth players. Currently, QUJING Yibu Club has more than 40 active coaches and more than 600 trainees ranging in age from 6 to 15 years old. In addition, the club cooperates with the Yunnan Provincial and Qujing Municipal Football Associations to create soccer ladders for different age groups, and is committed to the cultivation of soccer talents.
"While we have a vision to develop professional soccer and are always ready to join the professional league, youth training has always been our foundation. The first team is the platform for us to showcase, and that platform needs to be replenished with a steady stream of fresh blood." Leader Lee Forest was candid in stating that the development of youth training has always been a top priority in the club's development plans.
Youth training not only benefits local youth in Qujing, but also provides a transition platform for former professional players.
Assistant coach and team member Shen Zhuxing is going through a transition from player to coach. at the age of 8, Shen began playing soccer under the influence of Yunnan Hongta. Since 2012, he has played for Kunming Rui Long, Gansu Aoxin, Pu'er Marriott and Yunnan Flying Tigers, and has participated in more than 100 professional league matches. The last stop of his playing career, Shen Jiuxing played in the China B League with Kunming Zhenghe in 2021. Recalling that experience, he said with emotion, "Although we eventually lost, I scored a goal in that game, which was an unforgettable moment in my career. In the same year, I also played against Qingdao Hainiu in China B. The Qingdao team eventually won the championship. That Qingdao team eventually won the Championship and advanced to the Central League. In the 2022 season, they were promoted from the Central League to the Chinese Super League. 'In that year in the Central B, I had encounters with international players such as Xiao Zhi and Jiang Ning, and I did feel the gap."
Though he has left the professional soccer field, Shen has not stayed away from soccer. He currently serves as both the assistant coach of the Qujing Yibu team and the assistant coach of the 09 age group boys' soccer team in Yunnan Province. "Over the years, I have accumulated some experience and hope to use it to help more young players." Shen Juxing went on to say, "I am gradually adapting to being a youth coach and hope to keep my passion on the pitch in a different way."
