Shandong and Liaoning U18 Men's Football Teams Meet! After 20 Years, Zhou Haibin Returns to the National Games Final

Reporter Wang Wei reports On the evening of October 23rd, the U18 men's football semifinals of the 15th National Games ended with the host Guangdong team losing 0-1 to Shandong. Shandong's head coach Zhou Haibin made it to the National Games final again after 20 years. In the other semifinal, Liaoning, led by Zhang Yaokun, won 3-1 on penalties against Jiangsu, bringing together two former national teammates in the final.

The semifinal between Guangdong and Shandong was regarded as the pinnacle clash of the domestic U18 age group, with most players being U17 national youth teammates. Regarding the coaching staff, Guangdong’s head coach is Guo Yijun, while Shandong’s head coach is Zhou Haibin.

In this match, Guangdong made four changes to their starting lineup compared to the previous game against Hubei. Wei Xiangxin, Buniyamin, He Jiajun, and Wen Zhanlin started, while Zhong Wenze, Liu Binglin, He Jialin, and Yin Bowen were on the bench. Goalkeeper Li Jinping, along with Li Tianyou, Zhu Xinyu, Pan Nuo, Yang Zhanpeng, Jiang Zhiqin, and Guo Wuyue, continued as starters, with Yang Zhanpeng serving as the team captain on the field.

▲ Shandong’s number 28, Chen Zihan, scored the only goal of the match.via Ge Shutiannye

In this semifinal, both teams started cautiously, with no clear scoring chances in the first half, ending goalless. After halftime, both sides increased their attacking pace. In the 58th minute, during a corner defense, Guangdong failed to mark tightly, allowing Shandong’s Chen Zihan to score from the far post, giving Shandong a 1-0 lead. Guangdong responded with a fierce offensive, and in stoppage time had a brilliant free-kick attempt, but Shandong’s goalkeeper made an outstanding save, securing Shandong’s 1-0 victory.

After the match, Guangdong players were teary-eyed, while fans gave encouraging applause. Guangdong coach Li Haoming also had tears in his eyes when passing through the mixed zone. “I’m very satisfied with the players’ performance, but competitive sports are harsh. We created chances but didn’t score. So far in this tournament, we have conceded three goals from set pieces, which we need to review. We will keep working hard; the competition isn’t over. There are still third and fourth place matches, and we hope to stand on the podium in front of our hometown supporters,” Li Haoming said.

The Guangdong Football Association chairman, Xie Changjing, comforted the players after the match, urging them to forget this game and focus on the next one. “We all feel you played with the style and quality that Guangdong’s southern football is known for, and we saw your never-give-up spirit. Even in the final minute, we still had chances, which is great. Keep your spirits high,” he said, encouraging them not to lose heart and to continue fighting for Guangdong football’s honor. “In the next game, let’s aim to win a medal. Keep it up!”

Finally, amid chants of “321, Go Guangdong,” the players regained their fighting spirit. At 4 a.m. on October 25, they will face Jiangsu at Shenzhen Bao’an Stadium to compete for the bronze medal.

Chen Zihan, who scored the winning goal for Shandong, said the semifinal was stressful but the coaching staff gave the players confidence, and parents and fans supported them. “We completely let go of the burden.” He expressed great satisfaction reaching the final. “Actually, it has been tough from the group stage until now, but we are very united. On the field, we fight every opponent as a team. I believe any opponent can be beaten.”

Shandong’s goal is the championship. In the group stage, they drew 1-1 with Xinjiang, then won 1-0 against Shaanxi with a penalty, and finally drew 0-0 with Zhejiang, advancing with one win and two draws. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Yunnan 1-0 to reach the semifinals.

▲ In 2005, Zhou Haibin scored the only goal for Shandong in the National Games final.via Visual China

It is worth mentioning that 20 years ago, Zhou Haibin reached the final as a player representing Shandong. In the final, his goal was the only one of the match, helping his team defeat Shanghai to win the championship.

Now as a coach, Zhou Haibin holds the title of a distinguished youth coach with “four championships in four years”: over the past four years, he led teams to win the 2025 4th China Youth Cup (U19 men’s college age group), the 2024 3rd China Youth Cup (U19 group), the 2023 Chinese Football Association Youth Football Championship (professional club U17 group) — editor’s note: U17 league champions — and the first China Youth Cup (U15 junior middle school age group). Now, he has guided his squad to the National Games U18 men’s football final. Speaking after the semifinal, Zhou said the team represents Shandong and bears great responsibility, “We will work hard to bring honor to Shandong.”

Shandong’s opponent in the final is Liaoning, who drew 0-0 with Jiangsu in regular time and advanced by winning the penalty shootout 3-1. Notably, Liaoning’s head coach is Zhang Yaokun, a former national teammate of Zhou Haibin who is four years his senior.

At 7:45 p.m. on October 25, Shandong will face Liaoning at Shenzhen Sports Stadium to compete for the U18 men’s football gold medal. Chen Zihan, who scored the decisive goal for Shandong, stated, “Liaoning has not conceded a goal so far. In the final, we must focus on ourselves first and hope to win.”