New legend rises from Wulihe dust

SHENYANG, Liaoning Province: The hearts of Chinese soccer fans sank with Shenyang's hallowed Wulihe Stadium when it was demolished in February, but now the newly built Olympic Sports Center not far from the old site has set pulses racing again.

The brand-spanking 60,000-seat stadium has drawn 40,000-strong crowds for both the men's and women's national teams since they resumed play under soccer-mad Liaoning Province's sparkling new roof last month.

More than 130,000 souls watched China's three matches during last week's Olympic teams tournament at what sentimental fans have dubbed the "new Wulihe Stadium".

Many of them had looked on forlornly on February 12 as the hallowed ground where China qualified for its first and only World Cup finals berth six years ago, was blown to dust.

But the venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics soccer competition came alive in a carnival atmosphere that could not be dampened by China's last-hurdle stumble against North Korea in the preparatory event last weekend.

"There were concerns lots of fans would boycott China's national teams after their beloved stadium was crashed," Li Chao, a member of the Shenyang Soccer Fans Association, said after the four-nation shootout was eventually won by Botswana.

"But we are glad to see people are still coming to the stadium, keep loving the sport and continue to support and cheer for our team."

Such is the allure of the new crystal palace-like structure that a women's tournament last month drew unexpectedly enormous crowds.

"Our women's team had two matches here and both of them were almost sold out," Li said.

"Soccer is rooted in the hearts of Shenyang people. Setbacks will not stop us from loving the sport."

Li told China Daily that a big crowd congregated near the old stadium in February to record its demise with cameras, despite having no authorization to organize a large-scale activity.

Fortunately, security guards stationed every five or six meters around the perimeter during demolition work were not required to do anything other than stand there.

"I was sad and cried when I saw the former stadium was flattened. But we have to accept the reality and summon up again," said Tong Qing, a graduate student from Liaoning University who saw China's historic 1-0 win against Oman in 2001 to qualify for the following year's World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan.

It took China 44 years to achieve that feat, but only seconds to obliterate the architecture that symbolized the long-awaited success.

"I tried to forget the bitterness and remember the beautiful memory," Qing said.

"We need to look to the future and continue to support the national team. I hope the new stadium will become a lucky place for the Olympic team again."

Although the location of Olympic matches are yet to be finalised, Chinese soccer fans are extremely hopeful that the home side will play at least one match on the most auspicious site for national soccer.

Amazing atmosphere

Both the coach and players involved with the Olympic squad were thrilled by the new venue and electrifying atmosphere generated by Shenyang's zealous fans, a number of whom had to be carried away after Mexican waves and ear-splitting celebrations overwhelmed them during Wulihe's convivial resurrection.

"Great stadium and great fans," declared Serbian-born coach Ratomir Dujkovic said.

"We have never been watched and supported by so many fans. I know Shenyang is a soccer city and people are crazy about the sport. It is lucky for our team."

Dujkovic has become one of the most popular figures in the north east, where autograph hunters and snap-happy fans frequently mob him.

"Since I landed in the airport, I have felt their passion. I hope we will play some more matches here in the future," he smiled.

A few boos and whistles of fans disappointed by the lackluster 1-0 loss to North Korea failed to douse the coach's enthusiasm.

"It happens everywhere in the world when the home team does not play well," he said dismissively.

"It was our team that did not play well rather than the Shenyang people. I would like to see more and more people in the Wulihe stadium."

Striker Jiang Ning said he felt extreme excitement every time he touched the ball.

"I like the noises and cheering waves," he said.

"You cannot enjoy such atmosphere in many Chinese cities, not to mention when we played in overseas competitions.

"I always feel comfortable to play at home. I hope more and more people will come to support us. We will reward them with best performances."

But chief playmaker Chen Tao, a native of the neighboring city of Anshan, harbors mixed feelings about the ground's recent history.

Chen's former club Shenyang Jinde moved to Changsha in central China's Hunan Province this season following sponsorship changes.

"When I came home, it reminded me of good memories as a player," said the man who started his professional career at Wulihe in 2002.

"The soccer atmosphere in Shenyang is much better than in Changsha."

(China Daily 08/07/2007 page22)