By Xinyi Li, EDITOR
At 15:00 on February 24, Chongqing SWM team held a grand opening ceremony on the Chongqing Olympic Center. Meanwhile, in this home field, over 200 football fans gathered at the site.
We always say “new year brings new image”. In the meantime, the first team squad has experienced big adjustments with many new young members. Fernando, the “little motorcycle” for Chongqing fans, is very cheerful today. He attended this opening ceremony with fashionable white hair and tried the new SWM car awarded by the sponsor.
February 24, Chongqing SWM team held a grand opening ceremony on the Chongqing Olympic Center for the new season's competition
The new football team is full of confidence
The fans were praying for good luck for the team. At the same time, Chongqing SWM team, after the new recruitment and winter training, is also full of confidence. Jiang Lizhang is the director of this team and the president of Chongqing Dangdai Lifan Football Club. He expressed that, “In this season, we will have eight new members including Adrian. And our technique and strategy systems will be more flexible with stronger executive force thanks to these new members.”
Jordi Cruyff, the team coach, felt touched after seeing the joint appearance of the echelon, reserves, and first team squad. “I feel like participating in a family get-together as all the teams have appeared in this center. This year, we have many new members, and we have also done well in the winter training. The opening of the new season will be hard work. However, I hope the team can join the uphill battle with great spirits. We are proud of you, and just fight for Chongqing!”
Jordi Cruyff, the team coach
The football fans shouted “Cheer up” to respond to his declaration of “fight for Chongqing”, which pleased him a lot. Later, Cruyff posted a photo about enjoying seafood with other members on his personal Microblog, where he looks delighted.
Foreign football players support Chongqing
In this season, Chongqing has finished a few signings including Adrien Mierzejewski, the former Polish national team player.
"Among the newcomers, only Adrien and Zhe Jiang have ever played in the Chinese Super League. The rest of them may have mistaken for lacking experience, so we have to help them to improve, and fight together. Of course, I'd like to introduce an experienced player, but there are some difficulties," added Cruyff.
The group photo for team members and the coach
"As a small team, every point matters. Compared with the top teams, we are not able to bring new players from the Premier League or Bundesliga. My goal is to try to lead the team to stay in the league."
In addition to Mierzejewski, Chongqing has Alan Kardec, Fernando Henrique and Fernandinho Silva as foreign players, and they give Cruyff more options on offense. "I'm very satisfied with the foreign players and they have great skills as well as Chinese Super League experience. All players are training really hard, and it's difficult for me to choose which player to start. Anyone could be possible if he has a good form on the pitch," said Cruijff.
Fernando Henrique, the important player of the club
What makes Cruyff really worried is his team's defense. He will make a big adjustment after defenders Donglu Sui and Yu Liu had left. "Enhancing defense is our top priority. We didn't play well in last season, and we were one of the teams who got the least points on the home court, poor defense was the main reason to blame," added Cruyff.
Source: Chongqing Evening News, Xinhuanet