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AC Milan's player Ibrahimovic (C) competes during the match against Inter Milan in Italian Super Cup 2011 at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, August 6, 2011. AC Milan won 2-1. [Photo: Xinhua/Guo Yong] |
With World Cup fever gripping the world, including China, we take a look back at some of the football highlights which have taken place in this country.
In 1994, Chinese football League A began in Chengdu Sports Center in China's southwestern Sichuan province. It symbolized the initiation of Chinese football. In the same year, Beijing gained football fans' attention through the first commercial game in China's football history.
In August, Beijing's Workers' Stadium welcomed a game between Sampdoria, then champion of Italy Cup, and the Chinese national team. To many's surprise, China won the game.
In the same summer, European Champion AC Milan came to the same stadium and was defeated by Beijing Guoan.
Gao Feng is a former player of Beijing Guoan.
"It was like a legend at that time. Sometimes we thought we had to win, whether it was AC Milan or Arsenal. We dare not say that we stood from a high position. Actually, we put ourselves in a low position. But we felt that we were going to fight with you. Indeed, competitions with foreign teams in those years had injected a cordial??? to the Beijing football market."
However, the unbeaten legend did not last long. In 1996, the England National Football Team beat the Chinese National Team. Later, Beijing Guoan lost against Napoli and Boca Juniors.
It was the 2003 Real Madrid China tour that familiarised Chinese fans on the meaning of commercial games. With Beckham, Ronaldo, Zidane and Figo on board, the Galácticos visited China in August. The great exposure of the superstars sparked huge market effects. The revenue for ticket sales exceeded $4.8 million.
However, the obvious commercial ambitions and the fatigue during their long-distance journey dampened the enthusiasm of the renowned stars. Most of these games disappointed the fans.
Zhang Bin, director of CCTV Sports, explained that there are many uncertain factors in the commercial games.
"The major factor is probably the quality of the game itself. A football team is composed of football stars. And who come and how long they play on the field make a difference in the competitiveness, the quality and the value of a football game."
In 2011, the Italian Super Cup came back to the Bird's Nest. What's worth mentioning is that the game was between AC Milan and Inter Milan. It is not only the first time Milan Derby performed in the Italian Cup, but also the first time it took place in Asia.
All the 90,000 seats in Bird's Nest were packed. Fans across the country rushed and surged into the stadium to watch the gala.
It is, of course, the grandest football game ever played in Beijing.
