Special contribution by Liu Zhun Originally expected to dominate effortlessly, but now struggling to advance—in the first two rounds of the 2026 China League One season, Changchun Yatai, playing away, first lost 2-1 to Nanjing City after a reversal, then suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Shijiazhuang Gongfu. Starting with two consecutive losses, the newly reshaped Changchun Yatai deeply feels the pain brought by a major overhaul. Summarizing these two defeats, head coach Yan Feng believes the team's youthfulness is a double-edged sword; long-term it can reserve fresh talent for the team, short-term it must endure performance fluctuations due to lack of experience. However, the league always judges heroes by results, and patience will be key to determining whether this veteran team can recover.

Survival is far more important than aiming for promotion to the CSL.

On March 22, Changchun Yatai ended nearly three months of "migratory" life and returned to Changchun. For the new signings, this was their first time stepping onto Changchun soil. Yan Feng admitted frankly: "For the players, long-term training away and consecutive away matches are very tough, requiring overcoming many psychological factors. We are a completely newly assembled team; the primary responsibility for the losses lies with me, and the players also carry heavy psychological pressure. After returning, we need to thoroughly review and go all out to prepare for home matches, to get the team back on track quickly."

In the previous CSL season, Changchun Yatai fell short in the final stage and dropped to China League One for the second time. Since most players did not wish to renew contracts to play in the secondary league after their contracts expired that season, Changchun Yatai had to settle for recruiting 13 new players with League One experience, such as Lai Na, Chen Guoliang, Bin Jiwen, Li Qiang, Geng Taili, Lu Kaiwen, and Muzhapal. Simultaneously, the team recalled and selected players from its youth academy like Dong Yifan, An Zhicheng, Wu Zhicheng, Fan Chao, Lu Yiming, Fan Houtai, Ba Te, Yang Jingfan, Wu Junjie, and Wei Kail to enhance team belonging. Together with Tan Long, Wu Yak e, Yan Zhiyu, and foreign players Omoy Juanfu and Camilo, Changchun Yatai officially embarked on its third journey in China League One.

Due to penalties from the Chinese Football Association before the season started, Changchun Yatai, along with Meizhou Hakka, Ningbo Team, and Suzhou Dongwu, had to start from negative points. After the first two rounds, only Suzhou Dongwu among the four teams cleared their points deficit, while the other three suffered two consecutive losses. At the start, Changchun Yatai and Meizhou Hakka already trailed leaders Wuxi Wugou and Guangzhou Bao by 10 and 9 points respectively, making a return to the CSL a distant hope. For Changchun Yatai, aiming for CSL promotion is not the current primary goal; for them under financial strain, survival is far more important than promotion.

Despite numerous difficulties, in this "marathon" starting from negative points, can Changchun Yatai achieve a turnaround? Those familiar with Changchun Yatai's history know that in the 2002 season of China League Two (then called Jia B), Changchun Yatai, also penalized by the Chinese Football Association, initially faced hardships. However, as suspended players returned after bans were lifted, the team began a strong recovery and progressed steadily, eventually relying on the "Yatai '96 generation" to win the CSL championship. The current situation of Changchun Yatai is quite similar to that time—strength diminished, starting to utilize young talents from its youth academy.

Regaining confidence at home.

Yan Feng, who witnessed Changchun Yatai's promotion to CSL in 2005, championship in 2007, and survival successes in 2013 and 2016, deeply understands the importance of "patience" for a young team. After losing away to Shijiazhuang Gongfu, Yan Feng thanked the traveling fans while actively easing pressure on his players: "Our players are too young; they are not lacking ability, but become overly nervous under pressure. Losing increases pressure further; we all came from playing careers and know well the negative impact such pressure has on the team."

In the 2026 China League One season, Changchun Yatai only counts Nantong Zhiyun and Meizhou Hakka as familiar league opponents; matches against陕西联合, Nanjing City, and大连鲲城have only occurred in previous FA Cup encounters, while other opponents are entirely new "encounters." Due to large-scale roster changes, Changchun Yatai has struggled to find the feeling from competing in the CSL, something Yan Feng clearly understands: "What Changchun Yatai needs more now is unity—the kind of unity where fans and the team, players and coaches are heart-to-heart connected, not accusations and insults. We need to stand at a lower position to fight opponents and regain lost confidence at home."

Although in the opening two matches Changchun Yatai failed to convert attacking opportunities into more goals, and the defensive line's toughness was not strong enough, as the season progresses and the squad continues to磨合, these issues are expected to gradually improve.