In 2002, Yu Genwei scored a goal and the national soccer team beat Oman 1-0, locking the ticket for the World Cup in Korea and Japan two rounds ahead of schedule. This is not only the first time in the history of the national football team, but also the only time to break into the World Cup final round.
Four times in the spring and fall, the Qatar World Cup fire rekindled, the national football team once again become a spectator.
As the soccer feast comes to life again, let's relive the glory of China's men's soccer team's entry into the World Cup.
Chasing the World Cup dream, 2022, dreaming back to 2002.
By Zheng Hao, POPULAR - Poster, Jinan.
Age is like a song, it heals all wounds. Whether it's pain and anger, or inner turmoil, under the baptism of time, it's like an oath on a riverbed, destined to fade away.
Shandong Sports Center, Old Trafford, a passionate player, leaving with reluctance and regret.
He used soccer to record his growth, and used soccer to measure his life. This name is certainly familiar to Shandong fans - Su Maozhen.
In 1996, he had angered countless at the Devils' home stadium
Cebu, who had twice missed encounters with the World Cup due to injury, was deeply regretted by Sir Alex Ferguson and himself.
Despite the opportunity to go abroad for further study, Su Maozhen proved himself with his strength. What he is most proud of is that with his unremitting efforts, he has let all the fans witness his strength - breaking through the dragon's den alone and attacking the Workers' Complex.
Su Maozhen travels alone for thousands of miles
In 1996, Beijing Guoan's Worker's Stadium became a nightmare for the A-League. It remained undefeated in league and cup matches and was a source of great enjoyment for Guoan fans.
After a 70-meter sprint, Su Maozhen's feat poured cold water on the Guoan fans. As the ball went into the net, the fans let out a deafening roar - a sound that was as much an attack as an affirmation for Su Maozhen.
Facing the booing of the home fans, Su Maozhen made a behavior that angered the whole stadium: he stretched out his forefinger and put it on the side of his mouth, signaling the whole stadium to "shut up".
Su Maozhen tells Guoan fans to "shut up".
"When I came to Beijing, I still hear some fans mentioning that goal. When they mention it, it's not exactly anger, but a kind of admiration." Years later, Su Maozhen still recalls the goal with pride.
A Lonely Journey at the World Cup
Compared to the splendor of his club career, Cebu's performance in the 2002 World Cup was less than stellar. His playing time in that cup ended after just 33 minutes. Even with a massive rotation against the backdrop of Milo's early finish to the group stage, Cebu Zhen could only watch from the sidelines.
After all, the national football team at that time needed more speedy strikers to counterattack and open up space tactically, and Cebu was not suitable.
No effect on the status of "old Mao" in the hearts of Shandong fans. When Shandong fans expect him to continue to contribute to the team, the World Cup ended on Christmas Eve, Su Maozhen suddenly held a press conference in his own name, announced his retirement.
Cuomo Zhen at the World Cup
"The Su Maozhen you know and care about will never again appear in the A-League and international tournaments as No. 10 of Luneng Taishan and the Chinese national team." Su Maozhen's retirement speech moved countless people at the time, and now listening to it, the words are solid.
People who love Shandong soccer
Some fans say that Cebu retired with tears of stubbornness and a stubborn "ball-buster" demeanor, preferring to bend rather than bow. However, years later, the argument is meaningless. After his retirement, Su Maozhen traveled to the UK at his own expense to obtain a real British master's degree.
After returning to China, Lao Mao embarked on the road of coaching. From the Luneng youth team to the National Youth Football League, and then to the Chinese B League, Su Maozhen still devotes all his body and mind to Chinese soccer or Shandong soccer.
Perhaps many Shandong fans wondered how good Cebu would have been if Bei's curling cross had been followed by a towering header in front of the goal.
But there are no ifs on the soccer field - and that's what makes soccer so unique.
