Franko Andrijasevic of Zhejiang FC scores the winning goal at the Huanglong Sports Center in Hangzhou on March 3. [Photo/Xia Yang for Hangzhou Daily]

After a wait of 1,583 days, an electrified crowd of 25,337 fans finally welcomed their home team Zhejiang Football Club at the Huanglong Sports Center in Hangzhou on March 3.

Only 18 minutes into the match, Zhejiang FC's Sun Guowen saw red. But in the 26th minute, Franko, sporting number 11, broke the deadlock, marking Zhejiang FC's first goal at Huanglong. At halftime, Zhejiang FC led Shenzhen Peng City Football Club 1-0.

The second half was marked by a lack of decisive action from both sides, and the score stood at 1-0 when the final whistle blew. Zhejiang FC thus clinched their opening match of the new season of the Chinese Football Association Super League.

Zhejiang FC players express their gratitude to fans. [Photo/IC]

After the match, the stadium reverberated with the song Dream Paradise, the city anthem of Hangzhou. The large screen displayed the words "Today, we are home again! Thank you for waiting!"

Zhejiang FC players held up signs in various languages, expressing gratitude to the fans. Head coach Jordi Vinyals took a moment to express his gratitude for the fans' support throughout the game.

Deabeas Owusu of Zhejiang FC displays a "thank you" message in Dutch on a whiteboard. [Photo/IC]

The 7:35 pm match saw the area around the Huanglong Sports Center bustling since late afternoon. Metro Line 3 stations Huanglong Cave and Huanglong Sports Center broadcasted exit guidance announcements. A large number of fans dressed in Zhejiang FC jerseys and scarves headed towards the stadium.

The Huanglong Sports Center, once the venue for the football finals of the Hangzhou Asian Games, had been a place where Hangzhou residents watched football for over two decades.

On March 9, Zhejiang FC will square off against Shanghai Port FC on their home turf.