CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- On October 22, Chongqing’s Tonglianglong Football Team finished the season with 15 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses in Dalian, Liaoning, winning the championship of the Chinese Football Association China League (China League Two). In the award ceremony, the captain Xiang Yuwang held up the trophy on behalf of the team. After nine years, Chongqing once again won the cup in the Chinese professional league matches. It is the first time that Xiang Yuwang has participated in a professional league match. He is 19 years old, the youngest captain in the history of Chongqing’s professional football league matches, as well as the youngest captain in the current Chinese professional football circle.

Xiang Yuwang, a native of Chongqing, started playing football at the age of seven. Young as he is an outstanding attacker in professional football league matches. In this session, he scored 14 goals for the team, ranking third in the league's top scorer list.

On May 24, 2022, it’s a sad day for Chongqing football fans, Chongqing Liangjiang Football Club announced its dissolution. To carry on the football spirit of Chongqing, several football Chongqing players who participated in the 14th Chinese U18 National Games and several experienced Chongqing players who have played in the Chinese Super League (CSL) games for many years formed the Tonglianglong Football Club in June 2022. Most of the members and coaches of the club are Chongqing natives. They began the journey of Chongqing’s football revitalization with the Chinese Football Association Member Association Champions League.

The armband of a captain stands for more responsibility than honor, said Xiang Yuwang. From amateur league to professional league matches, he grew fast as a captain. He was worried if he was qualified to be a captain at first. Encouraged by several experienced players, he carried on the mission, working hard to make himself an example to other team members.

They share the joys of victories and learn from failures together. As the home team in the China League Two 2023, the Tonglianglong Team felt more confident and went undefeated. Seeing the stand filled with passionate home fans, Xiang Yuwang said, “Such a home atmosphere was even more cheerful than that in some CSL games. It’s marvelous!”

Xiang’s father, Xiang Binfei, is one of his fans. He played the drummer in the square matrix of fans to cheer for his son.

The team includes many team members in their 20s and three experienced football players, namely, Wu Qing (42 years old), Huang Xiyang (38 years old), and Zhao Hejing. The three players had served as the captain of Chongqing’s football team. At the beginning of the session, when the young players did not adapt to the pace of the professional league matches, the experienced players patiently shared with them their years of experience, professional attitude, thinking, and habits, to help them overcome the difficulty.

“Remember this evening. Let’s celebrate the victory and make voices as a giant for Chongqing. Remember this evening. Though the sky is emptied of stars, the Tonglianglong Stadium is shining as a star!” On the evening of September 17, the Tonglianglong Team posted these emotion-laden words to celebrate the team’s promotion from China League Two to China League One. At the celebration ceremony, Xiang Yuwang smiled and spread out his arms, as if to embrace the happiness that football brought to everyone.

It usually takes a long time for a home team to conclude the match. Xiang Yuwang, with his teammates, stopped to express their gratitude to all the fans. After the closing ceremony ended, Xiang was asked to take group photos by many security personnel. They said, “Though we had to keep our eyes on the audience in the games, we still enjoyed your games! We love you!” This is one of the happiness that football brings me, said Xiang.

These new forces of Chongqing football won second place in the 2021 National Games, which is the best result that Chongqing’s football team has ever achieved. They won another second place in the 2022 Chinese Football Association Member Association Champions League. 2023 marks their first year of professional football matches as well as the first year for Chongqing’s football team to return to professional football matches. Xiang Yuwang, together with his teammates, has made great strides in their footballing life. They will continue to fight for Chongqing in the top leagues. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)