Chinese U16 Team Shows Promise Despite Narrow Loss to South Korea

On July 8, 2025, the Chinese U16 football team faced South Korea in an exciting and high-scoring match during the International Juvenile Peace Cup, held in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. The Chinese team kicked off the game strongly, with center back Lu Qizheng scoring a header in the 7th minute, only for South Korean forward Kim Ji-ho to equalize shortly thereafter. The South Korean side then extended their lead to 3-1 before halftime, with two more goals from Kim and Nam Ian.

The momentum shifted back to China when winger Kuang Zhaolei scored in the 56th minute, followed by a goal from substitute Xie Jin two minutes later that leveled the match. However, just ten minutes later, South Korean defender Choi Min-jun restored his team's lead, despite receiving a yellow card for his excessive celebration that upset the Chinese fans. Coach Ukishima Bin reacted by bringing on offensive players, including biracial talent Wang Feiniya, known for his ability to create scoring chances. Although the Chinese team created several opportunities, they failed to convert these chances into goals.

Ultimately, South Korea triumphed in the invitational, wrapping up a perfect run in the tournament, while China finished as runners-up. The match drew an audience of 6,781 and followed on the heels of the senior national team's 3-0 defeat by South Korea in the East Asian Football Championship. In contrast to the criticism faced by the senior team, the U16 players received accolades for their spirited performance. Football commentator Sun Yuxuan emphasized that this match represents more than just a contest—it signifies progress in domestic youth development, with future growth for the players being a key takeaway.

Under Japanese coach Ukishima Bin, the Chinese U16 squad has exhibited notable resilience throughout the tournament, which also included teams from Japan and Uzbekistan. In their closer opening match against Japan, China managed to come back from a first-half deficit to earn a 1-1 draw, thanks to a quick equalizer from substitute Liang Shiyu. The following game against Uzbekistan was just as dramatic; Kuang Zhaolei opened the scoring just 117 seconds into the match, and after Uzbekistan equalized, Zhou Yunuo's stunning long-range shot secured a 2-1 victory for China in the dying minutes of the game.

The team has been implementing an effective mix of possession-oriented gameplay and long-ball counterattacks, with high-press tactics allowing them to disrupt opponents and regain possession in advanced areas, particularly visible in their performance against Japan.