Shenyang soccer fans were left somewhat disappointed last night after an hour-long extravaganza to celebrate China's first entry into the World Cup was cancelled and a simple 20-minute ceremony was conducted in its place.
However, Dalian, the team's home city, lifted a ban on the use of firecrackers, while restaurants and bars across the country prepared for a bumper night.
The China Football Association said the Government had decided to hold back on celebrations until after China's final qualifying match against Uzbekistan on October 19.
Workers at the stadium were apparently told on Saturday afternoon to dismantle platforms and musical equipment that had been brought from Beijing on Thursday.
'We will organise the festivities after the return from Uzbekistan,' a spokesman for the association said. 'We did not want something so big at this stage.'
A planned bonfire party at the Lu Dao Hotel in Shenyang, where the team is staying, was also cancelled.