After 16 years, Guangdong U20 men's football team reaches the National Games final again and will compete for the championship against Hubei.

Reporter Wang Wei reports On the evening of November 10, the U20 men's football semifinals of the 15th National Games began in full swing. The host Guangdong team won 1-0 against Shanghai at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base, with Zhang Zhixiong scoring a winning penalty in the 91st minute, marking their first appearance in the National Games men's final since 2009 after 16 years. In the other semifinal, Hubei also earned a late penalty, converted by Fan Xulin, to defeat Shandong 1-0. The final between Guangdong and Hubei will take place on November 12 at 7:45 PM at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base.

The Guangdong U20 men's team is primarily composed of the China League Two Shenzhen 2028 team, with Wang Baoshan serving as head coach. Guangdong won their group matches 1-0 against Liaoning and 3-0 against Guangxi, and then defeated Yunnan 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

Although Shanghai’s starting lineup featured three promising Super League hopefuls—Kuai Jiwen, Liu Chengyu, and Li Xinxiong—and had the veteran coach Xu Genbao directing from the stands, Guangdong showed more consistent offense and defense, clearly dominating possession and passing, and outshot Shanghai 17 to 7.

Guangdong’s strategy was targeted: defensively, they limited the ball touches of Shanghai’s striker Liu Chengyu, closely marked Kuai Jiwen, and effectively restricted Li Xinxiong’s breakthroughs and crosses from the left flank. Goalkeeper Yuan Jianrui also saved a certain goal. Offensively, young player Zhong Wen’s sharp dribbling was key; he won the penalty that decided the match and had also earned a penalty in the group stage opener against Liaoning, helping Guangdong to a 1-0 victory.

At the 65th minute, Guangdong coach Wang Baoshan substituted in Zhang Zhixiong, who had just returned from the China League One less than two days earlier—this move unlocked the team’s path to victory. In the 88th minute, Zhong Wen was fouled in the box by a defender while attacking down the left wing, and referee Maimaitijiang awarded a penalty. After the call, Shanghai replaced starting goalkeeper Liu Haoran with substitute Zhang Yuhang. However, Zhang Zhixiong stayed composed under pressure and converted the penalty to make it 1-0. Guangdong ultimately eliminated Shanghai and advanced to the U20 National Games final.

Notably, Zhang Zhixiong, who had just helped Chongqing Tongliang Long secure promotion on November 8, flew quickly from Shanghai to Shenzhen to join Guangdong’s squad. This semifinal was his first time on Guangdong’s bench. Speaking about the final opponent, Zhang said: “Hubei is also a strong team; in the final, we will play freely and strive for a good result.”

After the match, Wang Baoshan said: “Shanghai is a very strong team with many Super League players who have excellent individual skills. We focused on teamwork and tactical variations. When they advanced to the front, we quickly pushed into their half, using this tactic to create many chances. We also assigned targeted marking on key Shanghai players, which worked well.” Wang also added: “We hope to achieve good results for the Guangdong delegation and give our players experience against higher-level teams, which is the greatest help to them.”

The last time Guangdong men’s football won the National Games was in 1987, when Mai Chao scored a header to beat Liaoning 1-0. Their only other final appearance was in the 2009 Shandong National Games, where Guangdong finished runner-up to Xu Genbao’s Shanghai team.

Regarding the disappointing outcome, Xu Genbao said after the match: “The players were nervous; many of them were playing in a major competition for the first time, including Liu Chengyu and others (referring to the National Games). I told them during halftime that reaching the top four is already very good. It’s me who didn’t complete the task. Of course, I can continue to develop youth players.”

On the evening of November 10, the U20 men’s semifinals of the 15th National Games also took place simultaneously at Bao’an Stadium. Hubei scored a stoppage-time penalty in the 91st minute to “snatch” a 1-0 victory over Shandong, advancing to the final.

In this intense match, Hubei and Shandong engaged in fierce attacking football, both creating many scoring chances but failing to convert. In stoppage time, a Shandong defender fouled Hubei’s Yang Xi inside the box, and referee Xing Qi awarded a penalty. Hubei’s number 10, Fan Xulin, calmly converted the penalty to complete the last-second “kill.”

Hubei has been dominant in this tournament, achieving four consecutive wins at Shenzhen Bao’an Stadium. Head coach Gao Feng praised his players’ fighting spirit and desire to win, while also acknowledging some luck in their victories. “In the final against host Guangdong, we will give our all and fight without holding back.”

Shandong coach Han Peng, whose team missed the final, said: “We will carefully review our performance and aim to play well in the third-place match, fighting for honor.”