That's right, the first game of the championship throne is sometimes unexpectedly picked up by emerging teams. In the case of Hebei Xiong'an Light, they are ready to go, and have been recruiting talent since the beginning of their preparations, and are now pursuing their quest straight to the threshold of the professional league.
Shanghai Segunda, the regulars, will also continue their competitive journey. The man behind the team, Zhu Jun, the former helmsman of Shanghai Shenhua who is familiar to fans, will continue to shine on the green field.
In recent years, Shanghai Segunda, led by Zhu Jun, have been making a name for themselves in the amateur scene, and in the 2023 Chinese Championship season, they are in the thick of the action in the even division. From a 0-0 handshake with Liuzhou Soccer in their first match, to a 0-1 defeat against Shenzhen's Youngsters, to a 3-1 come-from-behind win over Qianxinan Beacon Tong, they had ups and downs along the way. In the subsequent qualifying rounds of Groups I and J, they lost to crosstown rivals Shanghai Tongji, but the 0-1 loss didn't make them give up, and they ultimately failed to break through, ending their regional journey. In these five rounds of fierce battles, Zhu Jun made two starts and showed good competitive status.
As we enter 2024, Shanghai Segunda is on the road again. In the first round of the F.A.C. Cup, they swept Nanning 7-0 to advance. In the upcoming second round, they will host Ganzhou Ruishi's B team. It is worth mentioning that in this big win, 58-year-old Zhu Jun not only took the lead, but also knocked the opponent's door in the 59th minute, making the score 6-0. He thus became the goal king of this year's F.A.C.A. Cup.
Looking ahead, Shanghai Segunda will continue to sweat it out in the Champions League. If Zhu Jun can continue to play, will he be able to achieve another success in the Champions League? All this is still unknown, let's witness it together.
