In the vast expanse of Chinese football, a new star has quietly risen in recent U20 national team matches. He is 18-year-old Zhang Zhiqiang, a rising star from the Guangzhou team's youth training system. In a crucial match, Zhang Zhiqiang scored an impressive goal, bringing valuable points to the national youth team.
When the national youth team faced the formidable challenge of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' first team, the score was once behind, and the atmosphere on the field was tense and oppressive. However, just as everyone thought victory was hopeless, Zhang Zhiqiang stepped up. Relying on his keen sense and excellent skills, he managed to pull one back for the national youth team at a critical moment. This goal was not only the best proof of his personal abilities but also a strong endorsement of Guangzhou team's youth training system.
Guangzhou team, a name that once wrote a glorious chapter in the history of Chinese football, still cannot ignore its investment and achievements in youth training despite facing some difficulties now. Zhang Zhiqiang's growth trajectory is a microcosm of the success of Guangzhou team's youth training system. From receiving professional training at a young age, gradually emerging, to shining brightly in the national youth team now, every step of Zhang Zhiqiang is condensed with the wisdom and sweat of Guangzhou team's youth training coaching team.
Zhang Zhiqiang's journey has not been smooth sailing. During the key stage of Guangzhou team's promotion push last season, he faced the choice of being called up to the national youth team. Considering the needs of the league, Guangzhou team once firmly rejected the call-up, which caused dissatisfaction from the national youth team head coach Jurevic. However, under the intervention of the Football Association, Guangzhou team eventually agreed to release some players to the national youth team, while Zhang Zhiqiang chose to stay and contribute his strength to Guangzhou team's promotion path.
For Zhang Zhiqiang, this was undoubtedly an important test. He needed to make a choice between the league and the national youth team, and ultimately he chose to stay with Guangzhou team. Guangzhou team did not betray his trust and provided him with sufficient playing opportunities and training space. In last season's China League One, Zhang Zhiqiang made 19 appearances and scored 3 goals.
Now, returning to the national youth team, Zhang Zhiqiang is no longer the inexperienced rookie. With his strength and performance, he has won the trust of coaches and teammates. In the match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' first team, he even demonstrated a maturity and calmness beyond his years. At critical moments, he could step up and bring hope to the national youth team.
Guangzhou team's investment in youth training is not only reflected in Zhang Zhiqiang alone. In a recent match, the Evergrande Football School U15 boys' team even served as free sparring partners for the Chinese women's national team. In this match, the young players of Evergrande Football School went all out and engaged in fierce competition with the Chinese women's team. In the end, they defeated the Chinese women's team with a score of 5-2.
The success of Guangzhou team's youth training is not only due to its professional coaching team and complete training facilities but also due to its care and cultivation of young players. In Guangzhou team's youth training system, every young player can get enough playing opportunities and training space. Such an environment undoubtedly provides a strong guarantee for their growth.