"Return" to the Chinese Super League, a tribute to resilience!

Reporter Lu Mi, Shanghai When the final whistle sounded, the "Tongliang Dragons" were crying too, but their feelings were entirely different: the young players, led by Xiang Yuwang, screamed loudly with passion, the successful promotion giving them exhilaration after a rollercoaster season and a longing for their debut in the CSL; meanwhile, some veteran figures in Chongqing football shed tears full of the happiness of recovery.

"I’ve given the CSL back to them!" Huang Xiyang tearfully said this phrase, touching the hearts of millions of Chongqing fans. 1,264 days ago, tears of farewell filled Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic Club, with Huang Xiyang breaking down in tears, Wu Qing leaving alone in loneliness, and many club staff facing unemployment — that day they lost so much.

On November 8, 2025, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons defeated Shanghai Jiading Huilong 2-0 away, successfully securing promotion to the CSL, reigniting Chongqing football's presence on the CSL map.

On November 8, at Shanghai Jiading Sports Center, the home team played celebration music for the promoted visitors after the match, a rare gesture. Chongqing football has been a prominent name in Chinese football for over 20 years. Three years ago, before Liangjiang Athletic dissolved, countless media called out that "Chongqing cannot be without football," a helping hand in the crisis of Chongqing football, but unfortunately, the outcome did not change.

On the day Liangjiang Athletic dissolved, Zhang Wailong handed a handwritten letter to reporters, written in both Chinese and Korean: "The patience, effort, and sacrifice shown by all members of the Chongqing team have left much positive energy in this difficult society. I hope the Chongqing team can continue the spirit of 'one team, one family' demonstrated through football. Thank you for coming, love to you all."

After that week, we calmed down and sat together to talk about the past and the future. Old Zhang said, "Chongqing cannot be without football; I believe Chongqing football will come back." When asked why he had this intuition, Old Zhang didn’t give a direct answer but said mysteriously, "You will know in the future."

On November 9, at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons donned their unified promotion uniforms ready to return to Chongqing. Facing the same question from three years ago, Old Zhang took out an old notebook from his backpack and pointed to it, saying, "This is my confidence."

In this notebook, Old Zhang recorded the match situations, personnel details, tactical analyses, and more about Chongqing Tongliang Dragons — from the team’s establishment in 2021, through the National Games and the China Amateur Football League. Zhang Wailong’s attention to this team has never ceased. He said he saw the future of Chongqing football and also the future of Chinese football in these young players.

How could Chongqing be without football? Three years later, Zhang Wailong fulfilled his promise to Chongqing football. He returned and brought Chongqing football back to the CSL. Chongqing chose Zhang Wailong for the third time, and he accomplished his mission for the third time.

On the night of the promotion success, everyone was celebrating — some shouting, some crying, some hugging. Zhang Wailong’s reaction was somewhat surprising; he returned alone to the locker room and sat there quietly for a long time. He reflected, "These players really have improved, both in skill and mentality. This is my greatest sense of achievement." He even began to imagine the beautiful scene of these young players competing on the international stage one day.

In the last few rounds of league preparation, the 60-plus-year-old Zhang Wailong hardly slept a full night. Before recording the training for the final match, he wrote beside his notebook: "Don’t panic, don’t be afraid!" Before the decisive promotion battle, he wanted to pass more courage to the players. Don’t panic, don’t be afraid, because Old Zhang will always stand behind Chongqing football!

When the referee’s final whistle blew, players on the Tongliang Dragons’ bench rushed wildly onto the pitch, hugging and high-fiving each other. Xiang Yuwang and Li Zhen shouted hoarsely, "We are back!" They shouted to their teammates and the stands full of fans. For these young players, this moment was an immense release after a season of doubts, criticism, praise, and heavy pressure. Their desire for the CSL and Chongqing football’s rise is filled with the responsibility that true owners should have.

In contrast, the "old football men" in the team showed different emotions. Wu Qing, in his first year as team leader, had experienced the tragedy of Liangjiang Athletic’s dissolution. The image of him leaving the club alone with a bag was the saddest scene he left for the professional football he loved deeply. Last season, Wu Qing took over as interim coach and suffered the bitterness of failed promotion. At the moment young players celebrated wildly, tears glistened in his eyes; without many words, he quietly watched his younger brothers, even children. To him, Tongliang Dragons means more than a "field," it is the continuation of his football life.

Qiu Weiguo was the first assistant coach recalled after Zhang Wailong’s return. Also a witness to over 20 years of Chongqing football’s ups and downs, he may not be good with words, but the moment he locked eyes with Wu Qing, their tears spoke volumes. Li Zhen, who used to be the first translator at Liangjiang Athletic, was unemployed for a long time after the team dissolved, but found his footing and life direction again at Tongliang Dragons. He cried, "What I’ve dreamed of day and night has finally come true. This moment makes the three years of waiting worthwhile."

Forty-year-old Huang Xiyang was nearly unable to hold on anymore. Long-standing injuries and the toll of age meant he was not a starter at the beginning of the season, but he was always ready to play whenever needed. After Zhang Wailong returned, Huang became the core revitalizing both attack and defense. As he said, he fought for the team until the last moment. While the young players celebrated wildly, Huang stood before reporters and fans, tears streaming uncontrollably: "I have returned the CSL to you! For four years, I persisted for this moment, now everything is entrusted to the young players."

Huang Xiyang’s words triggered an emotional outpouring. Some reporters interviewing him had witnessed Chongqing Lifan’s promotion 11 years ago, while many shared the experience of Liangjiang Athletic’s dissolution. At this moment, the joy of regaining what was lost became a shared feeling. Huang told the reporters, "I want to thank you all." The reporters replied in unison, "We thank you even more."

Chongqing football has seen many ups and downs, overcoming great obstacles. Now, with the sweat and blood of old and young alike over more than three years, they have achieved another remarkable feat — "returning" to the CSL!