China's domestic football clubs have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on foreign players but it's failing to translate into immediate success.
President Xi Jinping wants to see China rise in footballing ranks but they will be watching the 2018 Football World Cup from home after failing to qualify for Russia.
William Denselow in Shanghai reports now on how football officials hope a change in tactics will help make the president's hope a reality.
IN: "He's...."
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AIR: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0417Footy-wd-generic.mp3
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TAKE VO:
He's a teacher as well as a teammate.
This January Hebei China Fortune signed Javier Mascherano from Barcelona.
Fans here ahead of a match against Shanghai SIPG believe foreign players have had a positive impact but it hasn't yet translated into success for their national team. And some are losing patience.
TAKE SOT:
VOX 1: The national team improved a lot from the past. But the other teams improved faster.
VOX 2: I think they perform better for their clubs. I don't know why.
VOX 3: The national team are lying down on the job. I don't have other words to describe it.
TAKE VO:
Chinese clubs spent more than 400 million dollars during the 2016 winter transfer window. That's over 100 million dollars more than English teams. But the goalposts appear to be shifting after a rule change introduced by the Chinese Football Association.
Mascherano was the biggest star to come to China this winter but cost less than seven million dollars- pocket money in today's game. Clubs in China are now subject to a 100% tax on transfers more than seven million dollars and that cash goes towards developing the game at the grass-roots level.
Vítor Pereira- Shanghai SIPG's head coach says the experience from overseas players is still important.
TAKE VO: Super- Vítor Pereira, Head Coach, Shanghai SIPG
"If you come here to bring something different, to improve in the tactical behaviors, I think we can help this league, everybody, the national team also."
TAKE VO:
Founder of China Sports Insider Mark Dreyer says the failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in June was a disappointment but not a surprise for many fans.
TAKE SOT: Super-
Mark Dreyer, Founder, China Sports Insider
"Towards the end of 2014 China decided that it wanted to grow its sports industry then at the beginning of 2015 there was a 50 point reform plan for soccer and that was really reforming the game from top to bottom."
TAKE VO:
Jin Yuxuan is captain of the Beijing Phoenix under 16s. She says these reforms are starting to kick in.
TAKE SOT: Super-
Jin Yuxuan, Captain, Beijing Phoenix Football Club, Under 16s
"Defiantly more kids are playing football in physical education classes. At present, football is the biggest sport."
TAKE VO:
President Xi Jinping wants China to win the World Cup by 2050. It's an ambitious plan and many hope the next generation will get their shot.
William Denselow, Shanghai.
President Xi Jinping wants to see China rise in footballing ranks but they will be watching the 2018 Football World Cup from home after failing to qualify for Russia.
William Denselow in Shanghai reports now on how football officials hope a change in tactics will help make the president's hope a reality.
IN: "He's...."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2:44
AIR: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0417Footy-wd-generic.mp3
{TAKE PACKAGE}
TAKE VO:
He's a teacher as well as a teammate.
This January Hebei China Fortune signed Javier Mascherano from Barcelona.
Fans here ahead of a match against Shanghai SIPG believe foreign players have had a positive impact but it hasn't yet translated into success for their national team. And some are losing patience.
TAKE SOT:
VOX 1: The national team improved a lot from the past. But the other teams improved faster.
VOX 2: I think they perform better for their clubs. I don't know why.
VOX 3: The national team are lying down on the job. I don't have other words to describe it.
TAKE VO:
Chinese clubs spent more than 400 million dollars during the 2016 winter transfer window. That's over 100 million dollars more than English teams. But the goalposts appear to be shifting after a rule change introduced by the Chinese Football Association.
Mascherano was the biggest star to come to China this winter but cost less than seven million dollars- pocket money in today's game. Clubs in China are now subject to a 100% tax on transfers more than seven million dollars and that cash goes towards developing the game at the grass-roots level.
Vítor Pereira- Shanghai SIPG's head coach says the experience from overseas players is still important.
TAKE VO: Super- Vítor Pereira, Head Coach, Shanghai SIPG
"If you come here to bring something different, to improve in the tactical behaviors, I think we can help this league, everybody, the national team also."
TAKE VO:
Founder of China Sports Insider Mark Dreyer says the failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in June was a disappointment but not a surprise for many fans.
TAKE SOT: Super-
Mark Dreyer, Founder, China Sports Insider
"Towards the end of 2014 China decided that it wanted to grow its sports industry then at the beginning of 2015 there was a 50 point reform plan for soccer and that was really reforming the game from top to bottom."
TAKE VO:
Jin Yuxuan is captain of the Beijing Phoenix under 16s. She says these reforms are starting to kick in.
TAKE SOT: Super-
Jin Yuxuan, Captain, Beijing Phoenix Football Club, Under 16s
"Defiantly more kids are playing football in physical education classes. At present, football is the biggest sport."
TAKE VO:
President Xi Jinping wants China to win the World Cup by 2050. It's an ambitious plan and many hope the next generation will get their shot.
William Denselow, Shanghai.