The 07 National Youth Team was established, winning their first international match against a Japanese team.

Reported by Chen Yong. On the morning of August 26, at the 33rd China-Japan-Korea Youth Games in Baotou, the officially formed China U18 National Men's Football Team (07 National Youth Team) training squad, following their 7-0 debut win over Baotou team, secured a 3-0 victory in their second match, which was also their first international encounter, against Japan’s Shimizu S-Pulse U18 team.

Although the 07 National Youth Team has been established, it is still in the selection and training phase. Two groups of players are participating in training: the first group has 28 players, and the second has 31. The players competing in the China-Japan-Korea Youth Games are from the first training group.

On August 16, the Chinese Football Association issued the first selection and training notice for the 07 National Youth Team, marking the official formation of the team.

According to the notice, the head coach of the 07 National Youth Team is Jurjevic, with Chen Kai as team leader, assistants Kliyachich and Wan Houliang, fitness coach Xue Shen, goalkeeper coach Li Leilei, trainers Li Zhuangfei and Dong Xuesheng, along with technical analysts, skill monitors, sports protection staff, team doctors, team affairs personnel, and translators.

However, the 07 National Youth Team remains in the selection and training stage. This phase is divided into two groups: the first batch of 28 players began training on August 18, from which the players participating in the China-Japan-Korea Youth Games were selected; the second batch of 31 players will start training on August 28, with plans to play two matches against Myanmar’s youth team.

There is no distinction between starters and substitutes among the two groups. Players are divided into two training sessions based on their club match situations and positions. Well-known players like Wei Xiangxin, Zhang Jiaming, Hao Fubo, and Jiang Yixiang are included in the second batch training roster.

The formation of the 07 National Youth Team has followed a gradual process: In 2024, the Football Association held elite training camps for the 07 age group in July and December, with over 130 players participating and a player database for the 07 age group established. In March 2025, another elite training camp was organized with 34 players attending.

Therefore, this is the first selection and training session since the official establishment of the 07 National Youth Team (U18 national team). Based on this training, the team will gradually take shape, aiming for the 2027 U20 Asian Cup and targeting continued success at the U20 World Cup.

The first batch of trainees is participating in the China-Japan-Korea Youth Games in Baotou. Their opening match was against the Baotou team, which was of average strength, resulting in an easy win for the 07 National Youth Team; their next opponent was the Shimizu S-Pulse U18 team. Although not Japan’s official U18 national team or the top club’s U18 squad, this match still provided valuable experience.

In this match, the 07 National Youth Team won 3-0. Yang Yang from Taishan opened the scoring, then assisted his club teammate Yue Ruijie to score with a header. The third goal came from a cross by Yang Mingrui, assisted by Yingbo, with Miao Rundong from Jiangning Football Training Base finishing. Afterwards, the 07 National Youth Team rotated players to give more members playing time but did not increase the score further.

From these two matches, Yang Mingrui, Yang Yang, and Miao Rundong stood out. Yang Mingrui scored twice, while Yang Yang and Miao Rundong each scored once. Additionally, Jia Weiwei from Taishan scored two goals, and Li Yuanjie also scored once.

The final opponent for the 07 National Youth Team is the Incheon United U18 team, which is stronger than Shimizu S-Pulse U18. The winner will be crowned champion of this China-Japan-Korea Youth Games.