Guangzhou, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The 2021 Chinese Super League season came to an end a few days ago, with Shenzhen losing 0-1 to Beijing Guoan in the final round of matches, ending the season in sixth place. This is the third season after Shenzhen's return to the Chinese Super League, from the tragic relegation in the first year to the thrilling relegation in the second year, and now in the sixth place in the championship group, shenzu has gained a foothold in the Chinese Super League one by one year, which is their best record since winning the Chinese Super League in 2004.
6 years ago, the Shenzhen team was still a "three no team" with no youth training, no team and no investment, struggling on the edge of relegation in the Middle League. In 2016, Kaisa Group entered the ownership and ushered in the spring of the Shenzhen team. China League 9, China League 6, China League 2 runner-up, 15th in The Chinese Super League, 13th in the Chinese Super League, 6th in the Chinese Super League, Shenzhen team has come all the way in 6 years, step by step. Shenzhen fans have discussed topics ranging from rushing to relegation to envisioning the AFC Champions League, and now they will no longer be afraid of their team facing relegation.
The 35-year-old Gao Lin made 21 appearances in the entire season, scoring his second goal in the 2-1 win over Guangzhou, helping the team to beat the opponent for the first time in 23 years. Dai Weijun, a 22-year-old midfielder, scored 3 goals and 2 assists in 19 games and was twice elected MVP of the Chinese Super League, making all fans in the Chinese Super League "hungry". "Leaks" free transfer fee signing of foreign striker Kaldek 16 appearances 11 goals and 3 assists, won the Chinese Super League Silver Boot; and Quintero also ranked second in the assist list with 7 assists... At the end of each round, Shenzhen fans talk about which player has entered the best team again.
A topic that Shenzhen team cannot avoid in the 2021 season - changing coaches. Former head coach Cruyff Jr. left halfway through the contract due to a contract break, which is tantamount to an "earthquake" for a team. Shenzhen quickly replaced himself with assistant coach Carlos, whose coaching style was similar to his predecessor and who had proven himself in the Chinese league. In July, after taking over the deep foot, Carlos won 4 of the 5 games and drew 1 draw, laying the foundation for the deep foot to enter the championship group.
However, in the second stage of the league, the defensive mid-back Praliganji was reimbursed for the season, the strong back Wakaso could not return due to the epidemic, and the Shenzhen team suffered a major setback, once relying on Pei Shuai, who was a cameo center-back, and Zhou Xin, a U23 youngster, to shoulder the defensive task. Even with such a remnant, the Shenzhen team still achieved the 6th place result in the second stage. In addition, shenzhen team also reached the top 8 of the FA Cup, and also set the best record since 2004.
The Shenzhen team also has shortcomings. Although this season has played a 4:2 win over Guangzhou City, a 4:1 win over Qingdao, a 3-0 win over Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic, and a 2:1 victory over Guangzhou, there are also 2:4 defeats to Shandong Taishan, two 1:3 double kills by Shanghai Harbor, and 0:1 losses to Changchun Yatai and Beijing Guoan respectively. Especially in the second stage of the league, in the confrontation with the championship team, 2 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses, the record can be said to be dismal. Unstable play and lack of strong team temperament are the shortcomings that cannot be ignored in the current Shenzhen team.
If a team wants to achieve stable results, it should have its own youth training foundation. In 2016, Shenzhen Foot began to lay out youth training, and successively cooperated with local education and sports authorities in Shenzhen to build a U12-U17 campus youth training echelon. In 2020, Shenzhen Football established the U15 elite echelon, led by former international Chen Tao. A year after the establishment of this team, they won the championship in the "Origins Cup" youth football championship against the Chinese national junior team, and 5 players from this team were selected for the new U16 national youth team. In addition, Shenzu also hired veteran coach Shen Xiangfu as the director of youth training, extended the youth training layout to Chongqing, and jointly built a U10-U13 elite echelon with Chongqing Furen Middle School.
(Xinhua News Agency)