The first invitational match was held at the Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium between Shanghai Shenhua and Changchun Yatai. [Photo by Su Qiaojiang/66wz.com]
The Wenzhou football market is back after a long hiatus, with a professional football club invitational match held at the Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium on the night of April 3, local media outlets reported.
In front of about 15,000 cheering fans, Shanghai Shenhua and Changchun Yatai offered up an exciting game. Both teams fielded their main players, including national team players Wu Xi, Yang Xu, Zhu Chenjie, Jiang Shenglong, Tan Long, and all three foreign players.
The game started off with a gift from Changchun Yatai to Wenzhou fans, as Tan Long scored the first goal in the third minute. However, it was also the only goal of the game. The two sides played aggressively, with the goalposts coming under pressure several times.
"Watching such talented soccer games in such a great venue is a memorable experience. The atmosphere of the game today was great," said local resident surnamed Lu, who came to the game with his girlfriend.
The center also provided a good experience for spectators in terms of lighting, sound, big screens, and seating.
On April 7, Beijing Guoan and Nantong Zhiyun will hold the second invitational match at the center, and Zhang Yuning, a Wenzhou native, will represent Beijing Guoan in front of his hometown fans for the first time.
