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League champions Guo'an eye more to come

By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-02 09:18

Beijing Guo'an broke their 16-year Chinese Super League drought on Saturday and, amid the celebrations, promised more soccer titles in the near future.

The popular Guo'an team thrashed Hangzhou Greentown 4-0 to pick up its first title since China established a pro league in 1994.

"One title is not enough. We are looking to win more from now on," said Guo'an coach Hong Yuanshuo. "I should thank the many Guo'an fans who kept supporting us even when we were struggling. The title is the best reward for them. We will try to give them more."

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About 60,000 fans packed into the Beijing Workers' Stadium and witnessed the hosts' historic breakthrough thanks to a hat-trick from Honduran striker Emil Martinez.

Guo'an, who have won the league cup three times, are one of the most popular clubs in China and have produced some of the nation's best footballers, including former international striker Gao Feng and Shao Jiayi, who plays for German club Energie Cottbus.

Yang Chen, regarded as the most successful Chinese player in Germany to date, was also a Guo'an product.

Gao, a top striker in Asia during the 1990s, was thrilled by the long-awaited championship and hopes Guo'an will remain a title contender for years to come.

"It's great to see the dream come true," Gao said.

Guo'an fans uphold a flag which reads "after 16-year waiting" to celebrate the team's winning over Hangzhou Greentown to claim the Chinese Super League title in Beijing on Saturday. [Xinhua]

"But we cannot stay where we are now. We should keep going and win more championships.

"I'm confident all the players will get more mature after picking up their first league title. It's vital to Guo'an's future success."

Guo'an also won a spot in next year's Asian Champions League.

Changchun, Henan and former champions Shandong will also represent China in that league.