Zibo Cuju
- Leagues Played
- China Division 2 73 China Division 1 67 China FA Cup 10
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- Wikipedia
Wikipedia - Zibo Cuju F.C.
Zibo Cuju Football Club (Chinese: 淄博蹴鞠足球俱乐部) is a defunct professional Chinese football club that participated in the China League One. The team was based in Zibo. The club was dissolved in March 2023.
History
Zibo Sunday was founded in June 1982 inspired by the 1982 FIFA World Cup. As the founders of the team mainly played football together on Sunday, they used Sunday as the club's name. They officially registered as an amateur club on 18 July 1996. Zibo Sunday finished the third place in the 2011 AFC Vision China Championship and won qualification for the 2012 Chinese FA Cup, which they lost to China League Two club Dongguan Nancheng 3–0. On 30 September 2017, Zibo Sunday won promotion to China League Two after they advanced to semi-final of 2017 China Amateur Football League by beating Lhasa Urban Construction Investment 1–0, and eventually, winning the entire Championship by beating Anhui Hefei Guiguan in the final. After competing in 2018 China League Two and ending up in a mid-table finish, Zibo Sunday F.C. changed their name to Zibo Cuju F.C. in January 2019, stressing the significance of Zibo being the home of Cuju, a form of proto-football sport in ancient China.
The team is known for their skilled players, strategic gameplay, and competitive spirit on the field. Zibo Cuju has a reputation for producing talented young players and nurturing their development within the club.
Off the field, Zibo Cuju is actively involved in community outreach programs and initiatives to promote soccer at the grassroots level. The team is committed to fostering a love for the sport and inspiring the next generation of soccer players in China.
Overall, Zibo Cuju is a respected and successful soccer team in China, with a bright future ahead as they continue to strive for excellence in the sport.