China's fourth-biggest city, Shenyang is the capital of Liaoning Province, one of the country's most industrial areas, famous for its manufacturing tradition. With a population of 10 million, it currently ranks among the nation's most economically vibrant cities.

Located along the River Liao, Shenyang's history dates back to the Neolithic Age of 7,200 years ago, when an ancient tribe settled here. In 229 BC the city of Shenyang was originally built and it has been one of the major fortifications in northern China ever since.

Shenyang's importance in China's history is attributed to Huangtaiji, the founder of the latest Qing dynasty, who had his capital established here in 1625. Based in the fortress of Shenyang, his army swept the rivals of both the uprising peasant army and troops of the previous Ming dynasty before moving the capital to Beijing.

After 1979, when China opened its door to the world, Shenyang embarked on a period of modernisation. The last two decades have seen further development, and the city currently stands on the verge of returning to the heady days of the 1960s and 70s, when they led among the country's industrial centres.

Fittingly, considering its status as China's manufacturing giants, Shenyang is renowned for producing the most high-quality athletes at national level. It has long been dominant in the National Games, with many of the city's sports stars recruited into the various national teams.

Football is its strongest sports suits and enjoys a proud history. The former Liaoning team won the national championship for a record ten times and it is still remembered today as the only Chinese club to have won a major continental competition when they claimed the former Asian Club's Cup in 1989.

But a lot of changes have taken place since then, with the city making little impression in the national championship. Liaoning moved out of Shenyang for financial reasons in the early 2000s while Shenyang Jinde, the city's other club, also left for Changsha in 2007, leaving the local fans without a team to cheer for.

Despite this, Shenyang has established its reputation as the 'lucky home' for the national team, having played host to a series of important continental victories. Among these the most memorable victory came on 7 October 2001, when China team under Bora Milutinovic beat Oman 1-0 at the city's former Wulihe stadium to book a first-ever place for FIFA World Cup finals.

With the newly-constructed Shenyang Olympic Sports Centre Stadium serving as one of six venues for Olympic football tournament, the city's football fans are filled with fresh excitement.