In the springtime of March 9, Shijiazhuang Kung Fu Football Club unveiled a glamorous picture of the Zhang Yutong International Sports Center, graphically proclaiming, "Spring returns to the earth, Yutong returns with a new look."
This collision of visuals and words seems to imply at least two deep meanings: one is that after three years of silence, the Yutong International Sports Center will soon become a stage for professional leagues once again; and the other is that Shijiazhuang Kung Fu Team will be playing its first ever home game in its hometown, and Yutong will be tasked with this glorious mission.
The camera shows that although Yutong's green field has not been ready for a professional tournament for three years, it is well-maintained and, through a touch of skillful grooming, is sure to take on a new look for the new season.
Three years ago, when Yutong last hosted a professional tournament, Shijiazhuang Yongchang (now known as the Cangzhou Lions) was still in the first division of the Chinese Super League (CSL), and in the 2019 season the team jumped up to the top of the CSL with a record of 56 points. However, the epidemic swept through the 2020 season, and Shijiazhuang Yongchang failed to make it home. At the end of the season, they were relegated again. Fortunately, they were promoted in the 2021 season and renamed Cangzhou Lions.
Meanwhile, Shijiazhuang Kung Fu (formerly Elite Zhihai Football Club) has undergone a three-stage jump since 2020, taking three years to leap from the Champions League to the A-Junior League. It's worth noting that during the epidemic, the Chinese Champions League, the Chinese B League and the Chinese A League all operated on a match system, making Shijiazhuang Kung Fu's dream of a home stadium in Shijiazhuang never come true.
As the gloom of the epidemic dissipates and professional leagues at all levels return to the home-and-away system, Shijiazhuang Kung Fu has finally returned to the nest. It is reported that their home ground is located in the Yutong International Sports Center. In the past, Shijiazhuang Yongchang created a boom in the market here. Will this scenario repeat itself? We're all looking forward to it.
Notably, Shijiazhuang Kung Fu is fourth on the table in the 2022 Chinese First Division season with 20 wins, 6 draws and 8 losses, scoring 50 goals and conceding 31, with 66 points, just one step away from the Super League zone. Even last season's first division champions Kunshan are distracted by the intense preparations of many Chinese Super League teams. In theory, Shijiazhuang Kung Fu is expected to be promoted. If that's the case, there will be more cheers at the Yutong International Sports Center.
