Dong Fangzhuo
Encyclopedia
Dong Fangzhuo is a Chinese
footballer who plays as a forward for Mika
in the Armenian Premier League
.
and helped them to finish as runners-up in the Chinese B League in 2002. This earned him selection to the Chinese Under-23 national team, and a move to Dalian Shide, the most successful club team in China. Dong scored his first goal for Dalian Shide in the second match of the qualifying stages of the 2002–03 AFC Champions League.
from Dalian Shide in January 2004, for an initial fee of £500,000 which could have risen to £3.5 million, depending upon appearances. He thus became the first Chinese player to sign for Manchester United.
After signing for Manchester United, he was unable to play for the senior team immediately because he was ineligible for a work permit
. Due to these legal issues, Dong was loaned out to get first-team experience at Royal Antwerp
in Belgium
where the employment laws were less strict.
In his first season, he scored one goal in nine appearances as he began to get used to his new environment. His second season (2004–05) began more promisingly, finding the net in six of his first seven appearances of the season (all as a substitute). However, disrupted by injury and international duty with the Chinese youth team, his form fell away in the latter half of the season as he finished with seven goals in 22 appearances in all competitions. At the beginning of the following season, he was called up to join Manchester United on their 2005 pre-season tour of Asia and given squad number 43. He was given his unofficial début for Manchester United in a friendly against a Hong Kong
team and capped it off with a goal in a 2–0 victory.
In the 2005–06 season for Royal Antwerp, Dong impressed as he finished as the top scorer for both his team and the Belgian Second Division
with 18 goals including two hat-trick
s. In 2006, he again joined Manchester United on a pre-season tour which this time was in South Africa
. He scored the winner in a 1–0 win over Kaizer Chiefs. Alex Ferguson
remarked that Dong had the "speed and physicality" to play for United and hoped that he would be eligible for Manchester United in December 2006. It was reported that Dong could obtain Belgian citizenship. However, this option would have caused Dong to lose his Chinese citizenship
and was never considered.
He began the 2006–07 season in fine form for Antwerp scoring 11 goals in 15 appearances. On 15 December 2006, almost three years after his original signing, Dong was finally given a UK work permit having made enough appearances for the China national football team
in the preceding two years. With his eligibility confirmed, he was recalled from Antwerp, given a new contract until 2010 and added to Manchester United's first-team squad on 17 January 2007. He was given squad number 21.
Dong made his Old Trafford
début for Manchester United in a friendly charity match against a European XI on 13 March 2007. He came on as a substitute for Alan Smith in the 72nd minute of the 4–3 victory. He was a regular for Manchester United Reserves
, and on 9 May 2007, Dong made his Premier League début for United against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
, partnering Ole Gunnar Solskjær
up front.
On 12 December 2007, Dong made his first UEFA Champions League
appearance as a substitute in United's last match of the qualifying stages against Roma
, replacing fellow striker Wayne Rooney
. With that appearance, Dong became the second Chinese player to participate in UEFA Champions League
(the first being Sun Xiang). However, he made only one further appearance for the club during the 2007–08 season, playing the full 90 minutes of the 2–0 League Cup
defeat to Coventry City
. He was able to score four goals in three matches in the reserves before suffering an injury.
Prior to the start of the 2008–09 season, Dong was not given a squad number, with the number 21 shirt given to Rafael da Silva
. On 28 August 2008, Dong and Manchester United mutually agreed that his contract should be terminated in order for him to find first team football elsewhere.
reported that Dong Fangzhuo would join Chinese Super League
club Dalian Shide
. He was handed the No.9 shirt which was previously worn by famous Chinese striker Hao Haidong
. Although his experience at Manchester United meant that expectations of him were high, his performances in the Chinese Super League upon his return were very poor. Dong struggled to score goals, and was relegated to the reserves as a result. His poor performances in the league also prevented him from being called up for the Chinese National Team.
and Cyprus
, Dong signed an 18-month deal with an option for two more years depending on performance with the club. Despite impressing in the pre-season frendlies, in the league Dong looked desperately out of his depth and managed to notch just two short appearances before dropping to the reserves. He was released by Legia on 1 August 2010.
's recommendation, Portimonense signed Dong to a one-year deal in August 2010.
from the Armenian Premier League
.
. He came off the bench to play in three out of the four matches China played.
Dong scored his first goal for the senior Chinese national team
in a 4–1 loss to Switzerland
in a friendly pre-2006 World Cup
warm-up match. He was also part of the China squad for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification
tournament.
Dong was named to the 18-man Chinese national team
that competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics
. In China's opening match against New Zealand, Dong replaced Han Peng
in the 79th minute. He went on to score China's first Olympic goal in the 88th minute, securing a draw and a point for the home nation.
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
footballer who plays as a forward for Mika
FC MIKA
Mika Football Club , is an Armenian professional football club, playing in the capital, Yerevan.- History :It was originally founded as "Olimpia" in 1985. The club Kasakh Ashtarak is renamed in 1999 to Mika by the owner of Armavia Airlines, Mikhail Baghdasarov. Under the merger, the name of the...
in the Armenian Premier League
Armenian Premier League
The Armenian Premier League is the top football competition in Armenia. From 1936 to 1991, the competition was held as a regional tournament within the USSR. After independence, the Football Federation of Armenia has been the unit in charge. The seasons run from spring to fall...
.
China
Dong first came to prominence in 2000 when he was named Player of the Tournament in an U-17 football competition. He signed for Dalian SaidelongShanghai United F.C.
Shanghai United F.C was a football club that competed in the Chinese Super League. The club played at the Yuanshen Sports Centre Stadium in Shanghai and was owned by Zhu Jun, the owner of China's second-largest online gaming company The9 since 2005.In 2004, the team was based in Zhuhai and played...
and helped them to finish as runners-up in the Chinese B League in 2002. This earned him selection to the Chinese Under-23 national team, and a move to Dalian Shide, the most successful club team in China. Dong scored his first goal for Dalian Shide in the second match of the qualifying stages of the 2002–03 AFC Champions League.
Europe
Dong signed for Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
from Dalian Shide in January 2004, for an initial fee of £500,000 which could have risen to £3.5 million, depending upon appearances. He thus became the first Chinese player to sign for Manchester United.
After signing for Manchester United, he was unable to play for the senior team immediately because he was ineligible for a work permit
Work permit
Work permit is a generic term for a legal authorization which allows a person to take employment.It is most often used in reference to instances where a person is given permission to work in a country where one does not hold citizenship, but is also used in reference to minors, who in some...
. Due to these legal issues, Dong was loaned out to get first-team experience at Royal Antwerp
Royal Antwerp F.C.
Royal Antwerp Football Club, often simply referred to as Antwerp, is a Belgian football club based in the city of Antwerp.Antwerp is the oldest football club to register to the Royal Belgian Football Association in 1895 and they consequently received the matriculate number one when matriculation...
in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
where the employment laws were less strict.
In his first season, he scored one goal in nine appearances as he began to get used to his new environment. His second season (2004–05) began more promisingly, finding the net in six of his first seven appearances of the season (all as a substitute). However, disrupted by injury and international duty with the Chinese youth team, his form fell away in the latter half of the season as he finished with seven goals in 22 appearances in all competitions. At the beginning of the following season, he was called up to join Manchester United on their 2005 pre-season tour of Asia and given squad number 43. He was given his unofficial début for Manchester United in a friendly against a Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
team and capped it off with a goal in a 2–0 victory.
In the 2005–06 season for Royal Antwerp, Dong impressed as he finished as the top scorer for both his team and the Belgian Second Division
Belgian Second Division
The Belgian Second Division is the second-highest division in the Belgian football league system after the Belgian Pro League. It was created by the Belgian Football Association in 1905. Between 2008 and 2010 it was named EXQI League after a television channel owned by the league main sponsor,...
with 18 goals including two hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
s. In 2006, he again joined Manchester United on a pre-season tour which this time was in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. He scored the winner in a 1–0 win over Kaizer Chiefs. Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
remarked that Dong had the "speed and physicality" to play for United and hoped that he would be eligible for Manchester United in December 2006. It was reported that Dong could obtain Belgian citizenship. However, this option would have caused Dong to lose his Chinese citizenship
Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China
The Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China regulates citizenship in the People's Republic of China . Such citizenship is obtained by birth when at least one parent is of Chinese nationality or by naturalization....
and was never considered.
He began the 2006–07 season in fine form for Antwerp scoring 11 goals in 15 appearances. On 15 December 2006, almost three years after his original signing, Dong was finally given a UK work permit having made enough appearances for the China national football team
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
in the preceding two years. With his eligibility confirmed, he was recalled from Antwerp, given a new contract until 2010 and added to Manchester United's first-team squad on 17 January 2007. He was given squad number 21.
Dong made his Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
début for Manchester United in a friendly charity match against a European XI on 13 March 2007. He came on as a substitute for Alan Smith in the 72nd minute of the 4–3 victory. He was a regular for Manchester United Reserves
Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy
Manchester United Football Club Reserves are the reserve team of Manchester United F.C. They play in the North section of the Premier Reserve League. They have been champions four times since the league's inauguration in 1999; in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2010...
, and on 9 May 2007, Dong made his Premier League début for United against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge could be* Stamford Bridge, East Riding of Yorkshire, a village in England** The Battle of Stamford Bridge* Stamford Bridge , in London** by metonymy, Chelsea F.C., football club based in the stadium...
, partnering Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær is the manager of Norwegian first division side Molde. He is better known as a former footballer who spent most of his career playing for Manchester United. Often dubbed "the baby-faced assassin," he played 366 times for the Red Devils and scored 126 goals during a very...
up front.
On 12 December 2007, Dong made his first UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
appearance as a substitute in United's last match of the qualifying stages against Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
, replacing fellow striker Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
. With that appearance, Dong became the second Chinese player to participate in UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
(the first being Sun Xiang). However, he made only one further appearance for the club during the 2007–08 season, playing the full 90 minutes of the 2–0 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
defeat to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
. He was able to score four goals in three matches in the reserves before suffering an injury.
Prior to the start of the 2008–09 season, Dong was not given a squad number, with the number 21 shirt given to Rafael da Silva
Rafael Pereira da Silva (footballer born 1990)
Rafael Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Rafael or Rafael da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Manchester United. He normally plays as a defender in a right back position, but can also play on the right side of midfield...
. On 28 August 2008, Dong and Manchester United mutually agreed that his contract should be terminated in order for him to find first team football elsewhere.
Back to China
On 27 August 2008, Chinese online media Sina.comSina.com
SINA is an online media company for China and Chinese communities around the world. SINA operates four major business lines: Sina Weibo, SINA Mobile, SINA Online, and SINA.net. SINA has over 100 million registered users worldwide...
reported that Dong Fangzhuo would join Chinese Super League
Chinese Super League
The Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
club Dalian Shide
Dalian Shide F.C.
Dalian Shide , also known as Dalian Haichang International Football Team Shide FC or previously as Dalian Wanda , is a Chinese Super League football club owned by Shide Group...
. He was handed the No.9 shirt which was previously worn by famous Chinese striker Hao Haidong
Hao Haidong
Hao Haidong is the current chairman of Tianjin Songjiang F.C. and a former Chinese international football player who was widely regarded as the best striker China has ever produced. Hao holds the record for being China's all-time leader in goals scored...
. Although his experience at Manchester United meant that expectations of him were high, his performances in the Chinese Super League upon his return were very poor. Dong struggled to score goals, and was relegated to the reserves as a result. His poor performances in the league also prevented him from being called up for the Chinese National Team.
Legia Warsaw
After attending training camps with Legia Warsaw in SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, Dong signed an 18-month deal with an option for two more years depending on performance with the club. Despite impressing in the pre-season frendlies, in the league Dong looked desperately out of his depth and managed to notch just two short appearances before dropping to the reserves. He was released by Legia on 1 August 2010.
Portimonense
On the back of ex-Manchester United teammate Cristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
's recommendation, Portimonense signed Dong to a one-year deal in August 2010.
Mika
In March 2011, after a very short stint with Portimonense, Dong signed for MikaFC MIKA
Mika Football Club , is an Armenian professional football club, playing in the capital, Yerevan.- History :It was originally founded as "Olimpia" in 1985. The club Kasakh Ashtarak is renamed in 1999 to Mika by the owner of Armavia Airlines, Mikhail Baghdasarov. Under the merger, the name of the...
from the Armenian Premier League
Armenian Premier League
The Armenian Premier League is the top football competition in Armenia. From 1936 to 1991, the competition was held as a regional tournament within the USSR. After independence, the Football Federation of Armenia has been the unit in charge. The seasons run from spring to fall...
.
National team
Dong was in the Chinese youth team that participated in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in The Netherlands between 10 June and 2 July 2005. The 2005 championship was the 15th contested.- Venues :- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship...
. He came off the bench to play in three out of the four matches China played.
Dong scored his first goal for the senior Chinese national team
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
in a 4–1 loss to Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
in a friendly pre-2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
warm-up match. He was also part of the China squad for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification
2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification
The 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification was held in late 2005 and the final qualification round was held from February to November 2006 with 25 nations participating....
tournament.
Dong was named to the 18-man Chinese national team
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
that competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. In China's opening match against New Zealand, Dong replaced Han Peng
Han Peng
Han Peng is a Chinese striker who currently plays for Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League and the Chinese national football team.-Club career:...
in the 79th minute. He went on to score China's first Olympic goal in the 88th minute, securing a draw and a point for the home nation.
Career statistics
| Season | Club | Country | League | League | Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 2002 | Dalian Saidelong Shanghai United F.C. Shanghai United F.C was a football club that competed in the Chinese Super League. The club played at the Yuanshen Sports Centre Stadium in Shanghai and was owned by Zhu Jun, the owner of China's second-largest online gaming company The9 since 2005.In 2004, the team was based in Zhuhai and played... |
Jia-B League | ? | 2 | 0 | 0 | ? | 2 | |
| 2003 Chinese Jia-A League 2003 -League standings:-References:*... |
Dalian Shide | Jia-A League Chinese Jia-A League The National Football Jia A League , commonly known as Jia-A , was the highest tier of professional football in the People's Republic of China, during 1994 through 2003, operating under the auspices of the Chinese Football Association.The Chinese Professional Football League was established in 1994... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2003–04 | Royal Antwerp Royal Antwerp F.C. Royal Antwerp Football Club, often simply referred to as Antwerp, is a Belgian football club based in the city of Antwerp.Antwerp is the oldest football club to register to the Royal Belgian Football Association in 1895 and they consequently received the matriculate number one when matriculation... |
First Division | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2004–05 | Second Division Belgian Second Division The Belgian Second Division is the second-highest division in the Belgian football league system after the Belgian Pro League. It was created by the Belgian Football Association in 1905. Between 2008 and 2010 it was named EXQI League after a television channel owned by the league main sponsor,... |
19 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 7 | ||
| 2005–06 | 28 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 18 | |||
| 2006–07 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 11 | |||
| 2006–07 | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2007–08 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2008 | Dalian Shide Dalian Shide F.C. Dalian Shide , also known as Dalian Haichang International Football Team Shide FC or previously as Dalian Wanda , is a Chinese Super League football club owned by Shide Group... |
CSL Chinese Super League The Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the... |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |||
| 2009–10 2009–10 Ekstraklasa The 2009–10 Ekstraklasa was the 76th season since its establishment as the highest football league of Poland. It began on 31 July 2009 and ended on 15 May 2010... |
Legia Warszawa Legia Warszawa Legia Warszawa is a professional football club based in Warsaw, Poland. It was founded in March 1916 in the area of Maniewicze in Volhynia as the football club of the Polish Legions... |
Ekstraklasa | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Portuguese Liga The 2010–11 Primeira Liga season was the 77th season of top-tier football in Portugal. It began on 15 August 2010 and ended on 14 May 2011. A total of 16 teams contested the league, 14 of which already contested in the 2009–10 and two of which were promoted from the Liga de Honra. Benfica were the... |
Portimonense Portimonense S.C. Portimonense Sporting Clube is a Portuguese football team based in Portimão. Founded on 14 August 1914, the club is one of the few professional clubs in the Algarve region, and currently plays in second division.... |
Portuguese Liga Portuguese Liga The Primeira Liga , formerly called Primeira Divisão, currently named Liga ZON Sagres after their main sponsors, is the top professional association football division of the Portuguese football league system... |
3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2011 2011 Armenian Premier League -League table:-Results:The league will be played in four stages. The teams will play four times with each other, twice at home and twice away, for a total of 28 matches per team.-Top goalscorers:Source: -External links:* * * *... |
Mika FC MIKA Mika Football Club , is an Armenian professional football club, playing in the capital, Yerevan.- History :It was originally founded as "Olimpia" in 1985. The club Kasakh Ashtarak is renamed in 1999 to Mika by the owner of Armavia Airlines, Mikhail Baghdasarov. Under the merger, the name of the... |
Armenian Premier League Armenian Premier League The Armenian Premier League is the top football competition in Armenia. From 1936 to 1991, the competition was held as a regional tournament within the USSR. After independence, the Football Federation of Armenia has been the unit in charge. The seasons run from spring to fall... |
20 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 23 | 6 | |
| Total | 132 | 40 | 15 | 6 | 147 | 46 | |||
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 June 2006 | Hardturm Hardturm The Hardturm was a football stadium located in Zurich's Kreis 5. Opened in 1929, it was the home of the Grasshopper-Club Zürich. It was a host stadium for the 1954 FIFA World Cup.... , Zürich |
1–4 | 1–4 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 2 | 7 August 2008 | Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Shenyang | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2008 Olympic Games | |