Fan Zhiyi
Encyclopedia
Fan Zhiyi is a former professional football player from the People's Republic of China
. A folk hero and football icon in his native country he was considered a trailblazer when he moved to English
club Crystal Palace
to become the first Chinese person to do so. Internationally he would go on to play in China's first World Cup when he played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
. He has gone on to become a manager and is currently the Head coach of Shanghai East Asia
.
national team and has captained the national team on numerous occasions. He is the anchor of the defence and has been capped 102 times for his country before his international retirement.
Fan's biggest strengths were his superb fitness, hardworking ethics as well as his excellent positional play as a central defender. The 6 feet (1.8 m) defender was known for his tough tackling and superb aerial ability especially from set-piece plays in his early playing days for Shanghai Shenhua
in the Chinese First Division. He was also exceptionally versatile as a player and this meant he played in several positions including as a provisional striker, where he became the league top scorer with 15 goals in season 1995. He settled into central defense as a sweeper.
In season 1998/99, Fan made national headlines when he left Shanghai to join English First Division side Crystal Palace
, where he, along with Sun Jihai
, became the first Chinese footballers to play in the English leagues. Fan soon established himself as an important player at Palace and was popular with the Palace fans and staff, as well as winning Palace many new fans in the UK and back in China. He was also captain of the Crystal Palace team for a while and scored several goals, especially as headers. In 2001, he attracted the attention of Liverpool F.C.
due to his strong performances both for club and country. The coach of Crystal Palace decided to allow Fan Zhiyi to go on transfer because Fan was spending too much time for the China national football team
during the World Cup 2002 qualifiers.
After securing 2002 World Cup qualification for the PRC in October 2001, Fan was transferred to Scottish Premiership outfit Dundee F.C.
for £350,000. He managed to score against Celtic F.C.
at Celtic Park
during a 3-1 loss with a good long-distance shot after positioning himself well when he received a pass from Nacho Novo
.
In March 2002, he moved from Dundee FC to join Shanghai International on loan until July.
After a spell on trial at Gillingham
, Fan joined English Second Division side Cardiff City
in November 2002.
In October 2003 the much-travelled veteran returned to Asia and signed a one-year contract to become player-coach of Hong Kong side Buler Rangers. However his stay in Hong Kong lasted just several months, as in early 2004 he moved back across the border to become the captain of Chinese Division-1 side Zhuhai Zhongbang in Zhuhai
. The team was promoted to Super League one year later and renamed to Shanghai Zhongbang.
, however this short lived and it was only once he joined second tier side Shanghai East Asia
was he given his chance to become a manager.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. A folk hero and football icon in his native country he was considered a trailblazer when he moved to English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
club Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
to become the first Chinese person to do so. Internationally he would go on to play in China's first World Cup when he played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
. He has gone on to become a manager and is currently the Head coach of Shanghai East Asia
Shanghai East Asia
Shanghai East Asia is a Chinese professional football club who play at Shanghai Stadium in Xuhui , Shanghai....
.
Biography
A folk hero and football icon in his native country, Fan was a regular fixture in the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
national team and has captained the national team on numerous occasions. He is the anchor of the defence and has been capped 102 times for his country before his international retirement.
Fan's biggest strengths were his superb fitness, hardworking ethics as well as his excellent positional play as a central defender. The 6 feet (1.8 m) defender was known for his tough tackling and superb aerial ability especially from set-piece plays in his early playing days for Shanghai Shenhua
Shanghai Shenhua
Shanghai Shenhua is a professional Chinese football club currently playing in Chinese Super League. The club is currently owned by Zhu Jun , Shanghai SVA Group, SMEG and Huangpu Investment Ltd. . The current head coach is Dražen Besek...
in the Chinese First Division. He was also exceptionally versatile as a player and this meant he played in several positions including as a provisional striker, where he became the league top scorer with 15 goals in season 1995. He settled into central defense as a sweeper.
In season 1998/99, Fan made national headlines when he left Shanghai to join English First Division side Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, where he, along with Sun Jihai
Sun Jihai
Jihai Sun is a Chinese association football player. He is currently playing for Chinese side Inter Xi'an and for the China national football team as a defender or a midfielder....
, became the first Chinese footballers to play in the English leagues. Fan soon established himself as an important player at Palace and was popular with the Palace fans and staff, as well as winning Palace many new fans in the UK and back in China. He was also captain of the Crystal Palace team for a while and scored several goals, especially as headers. In 2001, he attracted the attention of Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
due to his strong performances both for club and country. The coach of Crystal Palace decided to allow Fan Zhiyi to go on transfer because Fan was spending too much time 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...
during the World Cup 2002 qualifiers.
After securing 2002 World Cup qualification for the PRC in October 2001, Fan was transferred to Scottish Premiership outfit Dundee F.C.
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
for £350,000. He managed to score against Celtic F.C.
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
at Celtic Park
Celtic Park
Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,...
during a 3-1 loss with a good long-distance shot after positioning himself well when he received a pass from Nacho Novo
Nacho Novo
Ignacio Javier "Nacho" Gómez Novo is a Spanish association footballer who plays for La Liga side Sporting Gijón.Novo formerly played for Huesca in Spain then moved to Scotland with Raith Rovers and Dundee. In July 2004, he moved to Rangers for £450,000. During his first season at the club he...
.
In March 2002, he moved from Dundee FC to join Shanghai International on loan until July.
After a spell on trial at Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, Fan joined English Second Division side Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in November 2002.
In October 2003 the much-travelled veteran returned to Asia and signed a one-year contract to become player-coach of Hong Kong side Buler Rangers. However his stay in Hong Kong lasted just several months, as in early 2004 he moved back across the border to become the captain of Chinese Division-1 side Zhuhai Zhongbang in Zhuhai
Zhuhai
Zhuhai is a prefecture-level city on the southern coast of Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in the Pearl River Delta, Zhuhai borders Jiangmen to the northwest, Zhongshan to the north, and Macau to the south. Zhuhai was one of the original Special Economic Zones...
. The team was promoted to Super League one year later and renamed to Shanghai Zhongbang.
Management career
Fan often stated his desire to move into coaching and would have brief spells as an assistant with Buler Rangers and Zhuhai Zhongbang while he was still playing. Once he hung up his boots for good he became a technical director at lower league side Suzhou TripsSuzhou Trips
Suzhou Trips is a former Chinese football club based in Suzhou, Jiangsu who played in the Suzhou City Stadium. Founded on January, 2004 the club entered the at bottom of the Chinese football league pyramid where they stayed throughout their entire existence...
, however this short lived and it was only once he joined second tier side Shanghai East Asia
Shanghai East Asia
Shanghai East Asia is a Chinese professional football club who play at Shanghai Stadium in Xuhui , Shanghai....
was he given his chance to become a manager.
Club
Shanghai Shenhua- Chinese Jia-A LeagueChinese Jia-A LeagueThe 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...
: 1995Chinese Jia-A League 1995-League standings:-References:*... - Chinese FA CupChinese FA CupThe Chinese FA Cup is the national knockout cup competition in China organised by the Chinese Football Association. Its current format started in the 1995 season.In the new season, 2011 it was announced, that current Chinese FA Cup will start in May....
: 1998
Individual
- Asian Footballer of the YearAsian Footballer of the YearThe Asian Footballer of the Year is an award that annually honors Asian footballer each year, has been conferred by Asian Football Confederation since 1994...
: 2001 - CFA Footballer of the Year: 2001
- CFA Golden Ball awardee: 1995, 1996
- CFA Golden Boot awardee: 1995
International goals
- Results list China's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition 1 Hong Kong Hong KongHong 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...2-0 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualificationThe 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification involved 33 participating teams. The and qualified automatically for the 1996 AFC Asian Cup.- Group 1 :*All matches played in Vietnam.--------------------- Group 2 :...2 Kuala Lumpur Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia3-1 Friendly 3 Kuala Lumpur Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia3-1 Friendly 4 Kuala Lumpur Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia3-1 Friendly 5 Beijing BeijingBeijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...5-0 Friendly 6 Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam VietnamVietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...3-1 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification-Qualified teams:The following 32 teams qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup: - qualified automatically as hosts - qualified automatically as defending champions-Notes:...7 Beijing BeijingBeijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...4-0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification-Qualified teams:The following 32 teams qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup: - qualified automatically as hosts - qualified automatically as defending champions-Notes:...8 Dalian DalianDalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning province, Northeast China. It faces Shandong to the south, the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and south. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...2-4 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification-Qualified teams:The following 32 teams qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup: - qualified automatically as hosts - qualified automatically as defending champions-Notes:...9 Dalian DalianDalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning province, Northeast China. It faces Shandong to the south, the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and south. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...2-3 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification-Qualified teams:The following 32 teams qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup: - qualified automatically as hosts - qualified automatically as defending champions-Notes:...10 Surat Thani Surat ThaniSurat Thani is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It is the capital of the province Surat Thani. The city has a population of 128,179 , and an area of 68.97 square kilometers. The city's population density is 1,858.47 inhabitants per km².Suran Thani is...
, ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...4-1 1998 Asian Games Football at the 1998 Asian GamesFootball at the 1998 Asian Games was held in Bangkok, Thailand from November 30 to December 19, 1998.-Medal winners:-Medal table:-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Group E: withdrew.-Group F:-Group G:...11 Bangkok BangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...3-0 1998 Asian Games Football at the 1998 Asian GamesFootball at the 1998 Asian Games was held in Bangkok, Thailand from November 30 to December 19, 1998.-Medal winners:-Medal table:-Group A:-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Group E: withdrew.-Group F:-Group G:...12 Tripoli Tripoli, LebanonTripoli is the largest city in northern Lebanon and the second-largest city in Lebanon. Situated 85 km north of the capital Beirut, Tripoli is the capital of the North Governorate and the Tripoli District. Geographically located on the east of the Mediterranean, the city's history dates back...
, LebanonLebanonLebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...2-2 2000 AFC Asian Cup 2000 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 2000 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Lebanon between October 12 and October 29. Japan defeated defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final match in Beirut.-Qualification:...13 Xi'an Xi'anXi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...10-1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 2002 FIFA World Cup qualificationA total of 199 teams entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. and , as the co-hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 29 spots open for competition....14 Xi'an Xi'anXi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...10-1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 2002 FIFA World Cup qualificationA total of 199 teams entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. and , as the co-hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 29 spots open for competition....15 Muscat Muscat, OmanMuscat is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797. The metropolitan area spans approximately and includes six provinces called wilayats...
, OmanOmanOman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...2-0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 2002 FIFA World Cup qualificationA total of 199 teams entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. and , as the co-hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 29 spots open for competition....16 Shenyang ShenyangShenyang , or Mukden , is the capital and largest city of Liaoning Province in Northeast China. Currently holding sub-provincial administrative status, the city was once known as Shengjing or Fengtianfu...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...2-0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification 2002 FIFA World Cup qualificationA total of 199 teams entered the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. and , as the co-hosts, and , as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 29 spots open for competition....