Reporter Wang Wei reports "The coaches and players are all deeply tanned from training, but there's no way around it. I told the players that for the sake of Guangdong football, we have to strive hard and show what we are capable of." Before the kickoff of the 15th National Games U16 men's football tournament in Meizhou Wuhua, Guangdong U16 head coach Guo Zichao expressed this during an interview. On the afternoon of September 4th, in the opening match, Guo led the Guangdong U16 team to a 4-1 victory over Sichuan. On September 8th at 19:45, Guangdong will face Shandong at the Wuhua Olympic Sports Center.

On March 17th last year, Guo Zichao was assigned as the head coach of the Guangdong U16 men's football team for the 15th National Games. This task was special for Guo, born in 1989, who had helped Guangdong win the runner-up in the U20 group at the 11th National Games in Shandong in 2009 as a key player. Sixteen years later, he returned to the National Games as a head coach. He said that his experience back then greatly benefits his current coaching role.

The Guangdong U16 players come from various cities within the province. During preparation, the coaching staff frequently communicates with the players. For example, Guo shares his past experiences with them. After finishing the provincial games in late 2006, Guo’s Guangdong team trained intensively at the provincial center for three years (2007-2009) to build cohesion. "Our team back then had strong chemistry, and through our skills and fighting spirit, we secured the runner-up spot at the 11th National Games. I hope this time the players can quickly integrate and continuously improve the team's overall strength," Guo said.

Guo Zichao’s Guangdong U20 team was very strong, featuring players who later joined the national team such as Yin Hongbo and Ye Weichao. Their opponents in the finals, Shanghai, had many future national players including Zhang Linpeng, Wu Lei, Jiang Zhipeng, and Wang Shenchao. After the National Games, Guo was also selected for the Olympic team alongside Zhang Linpeng, Wu Lei, and Wang Shenchao.

The experience of winning the runner-up at the National Games has been crucial to Guo Zichao’s growth over the years.

“Before arriving at the Jinan competition zone, we prepared various tactics and strategies to handle potential difficulties. This experience serves as a valuable reference for our preparation for the 15th National Games,” Guo told reporters. “Leading the team as head coach in the National Games is a challenge, but I will face it bravely. I want to thank the Guangdong Sports Bureau, Guangdong Football Center, and Meizhou Hakka Football Club for this opportunity and their trust in me.”

At 36 years old, Guo Zichao is a homegrown Guangdong player. In 2006, he moved from the Guangzhou Football Association youth team to the provincial team. After playing in the National Games in 2009, he returned to the Guangzhou team. His teammates included well-known players like Ye Weichao and Peng Shaoxiong. Throughout his professional career, he played for clubs in Guangzhou, Jiangxi, Shenzhen, and others. After retiring in 2020, he coached at Guangzhou R&F, then served as assistant and head coach for the Guangdong women's team in the Women's Super League. In March 2024, he began his role as head coach of the Guangdong U16 men's national games team.

After the Meizhou Hakka U09 team won the last Guangdong Provincial Games championship, Guangdong decided to use that team as the foundation, adding eligible players from Evergrande Football School, Guangzhou Football Association, Shenzhen Football Association, Zhongshan, and Foshan to form the U16 national games team. Key players include Meizhou Hakka goalkeeper Li Qifu, and national team players from Evergrande Football School such as Wang Feiniya, Yu Jianan, Lu Qizheng, and Qin Ziniu.

Because some national team players frequently participate in the youth national team matches, Guo hopes his team can quickly gel within limited time to maximize team performance. This year, the team trained in Japan with six warm-up matches simulating the National Games competition schedule. Recently, they also took part in the Kashgar Cup and won the championship.

In Guo Zichao’s view, two matches were especially helpful for the team’s preparation before the National Games: the Kashgar Cup and the training camp in Japan.

“Firstly, the football atmosphere in Xinjiang is excellent, with very enthusiastic spectators. Playing against teams with different styles and tactics provided valuable experience. We won the Kashgar Cup by penalty shootout, which greatly boosted the players’ confidence,” Guo said. “As for the training in Japan, it helped the players adapt to possession-based football and cope with match pressure. The warm-ups in Japan strictly followed the National Games’ match rhythm, allowing the players to get accustomed in advance.”

The U16 men’s football competition at the 15th National Games is held from September 4th to 15th in Meizhou Wuhua County. Based on groupings, Groups A and B are stronger. Guangdong and Shandong, both national youth team powerhouses, are in Group A along with Sichuan. Group B features a strong trio of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Liaoning. After two rounds, Guangdong and Shandong from Group A, and Shanghai and Jiangsu from Group B have advanced to the quarterfinals. On September 8th, Guangdong will face Shandong, and Shanghai will play Jiangsu. These matches will decide the top two teams in each group, who will then cross over in the quarterfinals.

“Actually, the teams in Groups A and B in the upper half of the draw are all strong,” Guo Zichao commented. “Since we didn’t participate in the qualifiers, every match is like a knockout. We must be prepared for difficulties and focus on ourselves to play well in every game.”

In the first round in Group A, Guangdong’s U16 team scored against Sichuan in the 4th minute—midfielder Chen Zhiping from Zhongshan swept the ball into the lower left corner inside the penalty area. Guangdong eventually won 4-1, securing a strong start. After the match, Chen Zhiping expressed hope that through the entire team’s effort, Guangdong could achieve the best possible results.

As the host of the 15th National Games, Guangdong’s preparation includes psychological motivation from Guo Zichao. “Some outside observers may think being the host gives us many advantages, but I don’t see it that way. In fact, it might bring considerable pressure. So I emphasize to the players that being hosts doesn’t guarantee anything; it only means we can familiarize ourselves with the venue and weather earlier. We must treat this home ground as a somewhat familiar away game and fight hard,” Guo said.

Additionally, to prepare for the National Games, the Guangdong team has trained for playing in high temperatures and rainy conditions. “We have done simulations before to help players adapt more quickly.”

For the Guangdong U16 men’s team, the goal at the 15th National Games is to reach the top three and compete for the gold medal. To reach the final, the team must pass through five crucial matches. To assist, they brought in Mo Minghao, who works at a Spanish club, to temporarily lead the technical analysis team, analyzing both their own and opponents’ tactics.

Because Group A and the upper half contain strong teams, Guangdong cannot afford to be careless in any match. “Every game at the National Games is tough. We must keep a humble mindset and fight hard from the start, every match,” Guo often tells his players. “Every opponent is a direct encounter for us. We must lower our stance and take the initiative to challenge others rather than waiting to be challenged. Our style focuses on ball control and passing. We hope to not only showcase our tactical traits but also demonstrate the fighting spirit of Guangdong football on the field.”

In 1987, Guangdong won the men’s football gold medal at the 6th National Games held in Guangzhou. Since then, for 38 years, Guangdong men’s football has not claimed another gold. Guo Zichao often uses this to motivate his players: “We often tell the players that we were hosts at the 6th National Games and now again at the 15th. Let’s see if this time we can fight for the gold!”

For Guo Zichao, competing at home is undoubtedly a great chance to make up for the regret from 16 years ago and turn the silver medal into gold.

Before the National Games began, Guo used various methods to inspire the team, such as watching the TV series "Drawing the Sword," encouraging players to embody the fighting spirit in crucial moments and build confidence. “We often tell players to find their purpose in life, understand why and for whom they strive. Every player has goals—short-term, medium-term, and long-term.”

Along with encouragement, Guo also applies psychological pressure when needed. “We must give players confidence but not let them get arrogant. If they do, we have to bring them back down and stabilize their emotions, hoping they perform at their best when it counts.”