With the kickoff of the inaugural Northeast Regional City Football League (Northeast Super League) approaching on May 23, the Changchun representative team has returned to the familiar Changchun Yatai Football Net Base Training Base after completing a three-week training camp in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province. The team is now entering the sprint phase of preparations, much to the anticipation of local fans.
On May 11, the squad reassembled for their first practice session back home, signaling the start of a more intensive training schedule.
According to reports, prior to the Taizhou camp, the Changchun team had already fulfilled its commitments in the “Three Major Balls” tournament. From April 18 onward, they spent about three weeks in Taizhou, playing three friendly matches with satisfactory results. “Although heavy rain and limited field conditions in the later stages of the camp affected our training, the team’s chemistry and form have improved significantly,” said head coach Jia Wenpeng.
Back in Changchun, the pace will accelerate. On May 12, the team is scheduled to play a 60-minute practice match against the Yatai first team. Later this week, the Taizhou team, which is currently competing in the Jiangsu Super League, will visit Changchun for a friendly match. The following week, the squad plans to conduct field adaptation sessions at the Olympic Sports Center.
The Changchun team’s roster is a unique blend of professionalism and grassroots involvement. The core is built around the 2008 and 2009 age-group youth teams of Changchun Yatai Football Club, primarily U17 players, supplemented by talented amateur players recruited from the public who have not participated in professional leagues. This “professional + grassroots” structure not only ensures competitive edge but also ignites the city’s passion for football.
Notable figures who appeared during the team’s open tryouts, such as short track speed skating star Sun Long, actor Wang Qingfeng (known as “Snow Cake Monkey”), and amateur participants like delivery drivers and taxi drivers, embody the team’s philosophy of “rooted in the community, discovering local talent.”
Looking ahead to the opening match against Tongliao on May 23 at home, Jia Wenpeng’s words were clear and determined: “Our goal is victory. Playing at home against Tongliao, there is no other target.” As for the playing time of amateur players, the coach explained, “Everyone will have their chance, but the priority is to win the match first.”