Guangzhou Leopards: Bringing Guangzhou Football Back to the Top League

Reporter Wang Wei reports On December 14, State Councilor Chen Yiqin visited Guangzhou Leopards Football Club to examine youth football training and understand the progress of the professional football club. Guangzhou Leopards head coach Feng Feng and players Hou Yu, Huang Shenghao, Xue Sibo, and He Jiajun took part in the event. Recently, Feng Feng, Hou Yu, Huang Shenghao, Xue Sibo, and He Jiajun were interviewed by this newspaper and spoke openly about their feelings.

Head coach Feng Feng, who attended the inspection, stated: “My greatest impression is the nation’s comprehensive emphasis on football, especially on youth training. As a football professional, I feel a great sense of responsibility, which motivates us even more to do our work well.”

Feng Feng expressed that Guangzhou Leopards have a clear goal for next year—to bring Guangzhou football back to the top-tier league, matching the city’s deserved status. As an international metropolis, Guangzhou needs a top-level team.

“The team’s objective next year is promotion to the Super League. All our current efforts revolve around this goal. First, we will accelerate the recruitment and upgrading of domestic and foreign players. Through this phase of intensive training and overseas camps, we aim to quickly gel the squad and lay a solid foundation for next year,” Feng Feng explained.

To achieve the goal of returning Guangzhou football to the top league, coach Feng Feng talked about strengthening the team’s playing style: “From the team’s perspective, I want to revive the Southern style of football. Southern football holds a high status and has produced many excellent players, such as Li Huitang and Rong Zhixing. I want to restore this style and perfect a technique-centered approach. I hope this style will mature into a passionate and entertaining team, and through our hard work, attract more fans’ attention and recognition.”

Feng Feng noted that Guangdong teams in the past had skill, breakthroughs, passion, and outstanding wingers like Gu Guangming and Wu Yuhua, who played important roles in the national teams. Looking ahead, “I hope the team achieves good results and develops players who bring glory to the country. We are working towards that direction.”

To prepare for the 2026 season, Guangzhou Leopards have already begun training. Feng Feng revealed the training is divided into four phases: the first is centralized training; the second, from January 5 to 25 next year, focuses on physical conditioning and tactical preparation; the third phase involves training camps in Thailand, where they hope to play six high-level matches against local and Korean teams to refine tactics; the fourth phase, after the Spring Festival, is for final preparations and adjustments before the league.

Feng Feng said, “I hope to lead this Guangzhou team well in the new season. More importantly, I want our performances to draw more fans to the stadium. Guangzhou has a deep football fan base, and I hope more people will follow and support us. This is our motivation. The football market across the country is warming up, and we want to showcase a good style and image. Every weekend, whether home or away, we hope fans will watch our matches.”

Player Hou Yu, who participated in the inspection, expressed great honor and encouragement.

“This inspection not only conveyed the country’s emphasis on football but also reflected the nation’s hope and determination to revitalize the sport. It strengthened my belief and responsibility to dedicate myself fully to Guangzhou and Chinese football,” Hou Yu said. “The inspection team’s visit to coaches and players made us feel the nation’s care and support, filling us with confidence about the future. As a team member, I must be strict with myself, lead by example, hone my skills to higher standards, and face every training and match with stronger willpower.”

In the 2025 season, Guangzhou Leopards finished third in China League One, narrowly missing promotion. Hou Yu said, “In 2025, we were just one step away from the Super League. The inspection team’s visit injected new energy into the club. At the team level, we hope to build on last year’s foundation and reach higher goals; personally, I aim to improve technically and tactically and contribute fully to the team’s ambitions.”

“Guangzhou football once led the way and now is poised to rise again. We recognize last season’s achievements and feel confident about the new season, but we cannot be complacent. We must train hard and focus on every session, fight for victory in every match, and strive to bring Guangzhou football back to where it belongs,” Hou Yu said.

Hou Yu is determined to give his all for the rise of Guangzhou football: “I keep the city’s past football glory in mind as motivation to train and compete harder. Many teammates, like me, are from Guangzhou, and other clubs nationwide also have Guangzhou players. Through our efforts, we want to play more exciting matches to inspire the next generation and encourage more Guangzhou children to love football, providing continuous momentum for the city’s football development.”

After attending the inspection event, several young players said they benefited greatly.

18-year-old Huang Shenghao said he realized the responsibilities of being a professional footballer: “Football is the world’s number one sport and has a unique influence. As athletes, we must respect this sport and let it shine as it should.”

Huang Shenghao, who has been selected multiple times for the national youth team, takes the revival of Guangzhou football as his mission: “Promotion to the top league is our most immediate goal. Moving forward, as a team, we will continue our tactical strengths, focus on details during winter training, maintain composure in key matches, and put the promotion goal into every game. My teammates and I will unite as one, with veterans guiding newcomers, addressing our weaknesses, and fighting hard to win, so Guangzhou football can return to its rightful place and contribute to Chinese football.”

Huang Shenghao firmly stated: “My first goal is to secure a starting position so I can truly help the team. Secondly, I need to work on specific weaknesses, such as handling adverse game situations and maintaining stability under high intensity, to adapt to tougher matches. I will fulfill my responsibilities and aim to repay the support and care we receive with good results, living up to expectations.”

Huang Shenghao deeply understands the spirit of “A Strong Nation Depends on Me” and hopes to grow quickly into an outstanding player who can represent the national team and showcase Chinese athletes on the international stage.

“As a new generation player, I always remember the goal of representing my country. I cherish every training session and every touch of the ball because an athlete’s career is limited and passes quickly. Therefore, we must train well, humbly learn from coaches, maintain consistent performance to secure our place, play fearlessly on the field, step up in critical moments, and work with the team to reach the top league as soon as possible.”

17-year-old goalkeeper Xue Sibo said he felt excited and inspired: “As a young goalkeeper, receiving such attention makes me truly feel the country’s focus on football and us young players, which is very encouraging. This care gives me great confidence and strengthens my resolve that choosing football was the right path. As a keeper, I am determined to further improve my reaction speed, saving techniques, and defensive command during upcoming training. I want to guard the team’s last line firmly and live up to this profound support. On the field, I will stay focused, boost my teammates’ confidence with every successful save, and contribute to Guangzhou football’s rise through my efforts.”

18-year-old He Jiajun recently helped Guangdong win the U18 men’s football bronze medal at the 15th National Games and now has a chance to join the first team. “To play in matches, I have to train harder than others and make up for my weaknesses,” He Jiajun said. “I set clear goals: as a young player, I want to refine my skills and mentality, learn from more experienced teammates in the same position, and fight for a starting spot in the new season to help the team. I also aim to work hard to eventually join the national team and represent my country!”