On March 25th, Qingdao West Coast and Qingdao Hainiu started a city derby in the third round of the Chinese Super League. According to the soccer newspaper, this Qingdao derby is not only a geographical competition, but also a competition with no losers.
In the 2024 season, Qingdao soccer welcomes its own crosstown derby. However, this rivalry is not a homogenized and brutal competition, as the two Qingdao Chinese Super League clubs are geographically distinct. From Qingdao Sea Cow's home ground, Qingdao Youth Football Stadium, to Qingdao West Coast's home ground, West Coast University Town Stadium, the two places are 78 kilometers apart; using Qingdao's Old Town Railway Station as a reference, the Youth Football Stadium is 32 kilometers away, and West Coast University Town Stadium is 48 kilometers away.
Historical and distance factors allow Qingdao Manatees to have a greater presence in the traditional southern part of the city, the northern part of the city, Lichang and Laoshan. The home stadium, Youth Soccer Stadium, is located in Chengyang District, making it easier to attract fans from Chengyang District. In contrast, Qingdao West Coast is more dependent on the West Coast New District, which radiates to the rest of Qingdao. According to the data, the population of West Coast New District is 2.614 million, accounting for 1/4 of Qingdao's total population.
Currently, Qingdao West Coast has only one point and Qingdao Hainiu has lost two consecutive games. Among the Chinese Super League teams, Meizhou Hakka, Nantong Zhiyun and Shenzhen Xinpengcheng all have a team that failed to score. If we add Cangzhou Lions, there are about six teams fighting for relegation. At this level, the Qingdao Derby has become a contest that no one wants to lose and no one can lose.
Nonetheless, the overall picture of Qingdao soccer is still reassuring. In addition to the two Chinese Super League teams, Qingdao Red Lions have also advanced to the China A-League, with their home stadium located in the old downtown Tiantai Stadium. In Qingdao, Qubo Qingdao Chasing Wind Junior Football Club advanced to the last 32 of the Chinese Championship in 2023. Rooted in the city of Laixi, Qingdao, this youth training-based club has one of the highest strengths in the country and a promising future.
Soccer Daily summarized by pointing out that in the 2024 season, Qingdao soccer presents a situation of double super in one city. Although the Qingdao derby in the top professional league is cruel, it is just a part of Qingdao soccer. The momentum of soccer is very optimistic here.
