By Sportswriter Yao Youming
XI'AN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- As a newly-promoted side to China's second-tier League One for 2019, personnel from Shaanxi Chang'an Athletic FC announced here on Wednesday that the team was expecting to battle bravely against relegation back to League Two.
"I hope our fans can be the best in the second division. We players will try our best to keep battling until the very last minute of the games," said team captain Yang Hao.
Formed in 2016, Chang'an Athletic shot to prominence the following year, when the team topped the football competition at China's National Games.
In the 2018 season, Chang'an Athletic finished third in League Two, though they lost out in that season's promotion playoffs to Guangdong Southern Tigers and seemed destined to spend another year in China's third tier.
However, others' misfortune was to work in their favor, as on February 26, 2019, Yanbian Fude FC were disqualified from the 2019 China League One over financial irregularities, allowing Shaanxi Chang'an to take their place in China's second tier.
Shaanxi's first taste of League One football will arrive on March 10, when they take on northeastern side Heilongjiang Lava Spring.
"Having extensively analyzed our opponents, I'd like to give our fans a surprise this weekend," Shaanxi head coach Zhang Jun said. Enditem
