According to Xiao Nan, a reporter for the Beijing Youth Daily, Chinese national team head coach Ivica Ivančović recently conducted a comprehensive inspection of Dalian Suyuwan Stadium, which will host the team’s first home game in the 18-team World Cup Qualifier. He was very satisfied with both the stadium facilities and supporting amenities.
Per the report, national team head coach Ivančović arrived in Dalian at noon on July 18th and immediately proceeded to Suyuwan Stadium for an on-site inspection. It is understood that the relatively cool weather in Dalian and the high-quality turf conditions in the stadium impressed Ivančović greatly. Staff also showed him a video clip of a previous home game by Dalian Yingbo, and he was pleased with the enthusiastic atmosphere created by the fans.
It is reported that to facilitate the national team’s preparations for the 18-team qualifier, the Dalian organizing committee specifically reserved two of the best natural grass training fields in Suyuwan Stadium as exclusive training grounds for the national team. Additionally, in accordance with FIFA and AFC requirements, the organizing committee has reserved five-star hotels that meet competition reception standards for both the home and away teams. The hotel for the national team is very close to Suyuwan Stadium, and Ivančović even stayed there for one night, expressing great satisfaction with the hotel’s facilities.
After concluding his inspection, Ivančović could not help but praise, “The stadium capacity, turf quality, training grounds, and hotel arrangements in Dalian (organizing committee) are all excellent. I believe the competition conditions here are superb.”
According to the subsequent plan, Ivančović will return to Beijing on the afternoon of July 19th and then watch the home game between Beijing Guoan and Tianjin Jinmen Tigers on the 21st. Following this, he will begin to finalize the roster for the new phase of the national team.
