Chinese side loses in U.S. debut at Negoesco Stadium
By Brian Kluepfel | Special to AsianWeek
Beijing may be hosting the Women’s World Cup in September, but this week, the United States opens the door to Chinese men’s professional soccer.
A whirlwind California tour by one of China’s top men’s clubs, the Shenhua Pumas of Shanghai, is putting a face on the men’s game here. Billed as a goodwill tour to commence the Chinese New Year, it will give American coaches — and agents — a chance to size up the skill level of the world’s largest potential talent pool.
Although the Chinese men’s national team played an exhibition game in Oakland four years ago, this is the first visit by a professional league team. Shenhua, the 1995 Jia A (First Division) champion, features five players who represent the national team.
Shenhua arrived in San Francisco Thursday morning. After a loss to Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday in a game sponsored by the San Francisco-Shanghai Sister City Committee, the club heads to Los Angeles for exhibition matches against MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy, and U.S. college champions UCLA Bruins. All in all, it’s a heady week for the players, two of whom were spirited to a Thursday afternoon press conference at Chinatown’s Four Seas Restaurant, jet lag notwithstanding.
“Until now, I only have an image of America from Hollywood movies,” said midfielder Liu Jun. “I hope to do some sightseeing and see other things.”
Jun said he grew up as an admirer of international stars like Pele, Diego Maradona and Marco Van Basten. He admitted that the experience of the Chinese team at the World Cup last summer in Korea “opened the window” for soccer in his country.
Agent Graham Smith of First Wave Sports Marketing is looking to open a window here in the United States. Smith has worked with overseas partners in what he called “developing the Chinese market” and has ambitions for Shenhua players in MLS (the league signed its first Asian superstar, four-time Korean World Cup defender Hong Myung-bo, to play this season in Los Angeles, which has large potential for a Korean fan base).
English Premiership sides Everton (Li Tie) and Manchester City (Sun Jihai) have Chinese players, as does the German Bundesliga’s Munich 1860 club (Jiayi Shao) and Smith sees the dollar signs in the United States.
“Yes, why not!” said Smith. “Why can’t the Earthquakes sign a Chinese player? It would make eminent sense. Hopefully [San Jose coach] Frank Yallop will be keeping his eyes open.”
Liu Jun said that there may not be many links between Chinese and U.S. soccer organizations, right now. But he sees the opportunities coming, especially for players.
“China will no doubt become an international force,” said Smith. He said the Chinese 12-team first division compares favorably with the 10-team MLS and that in China the pace of the game is quick, as he flashed a glossy brochure showing off the sparkling new facilities of the Shenhua club.
Ronnie Ng, a Hong Kong native who now resides in San Bruno, drove up to USF for Sunday’s match. He said he noticed a marked improvement in the quality of play, having watched a Chinese professional match several years ago.
“They’re getting much better,” said Ng, who plays for the all-Chinese Tornado side in a San Francisco weekend adult soccer league. He said the Earthquakes and Shenhua were “about 50-50” in level of play. The MLS side led only 1-0 at halftime, though clearly dominating the proceedings with their physical defending and speed on the wings.
A crowd of 2,400 nearly filled Negoesco Stadium on this sunny, clear afternoon. The Earthquakes took over the match in the final 30 minutes, building the halftime advantage to a final 4-0 result. Seventeen-year-old Arturo Alvarez made his mark with the team, netting a goal and assist, while forwards McKinley Tennyson and Santa Clara alum Jamil Walker also scored in their debuts.
Shenua defender Luo Xiao, who has also played in Spain and Sao Paulo, Brazil, commented on the opposition. He said the Earthquakes were superior in their passing and ball-control abilities. “There’s a lot of things we can learn from them,” he said.
“It’s a physical game in the states,” said Earthquakes coach Yallop. “We’re pretty strong and it wears teams out. But I felt their level of play was really good.”
He singled out Shenhua midfielder Merco Vanizini for praise, while noting that both sides may have been hampered by the imperfect conditions on the pitch.
Earthquakes forward Dwayne DeRosario, sidelined with a broken foot, noticed the skill level of the opposition. “They’re very tactical, skillful players. But (with us) they didn’t look too comfortable,” he said. “We were fitter and more prepared, and our defense never gave them any opportunities.”
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