The China Youth Football League (Men's U17 Group) delivered a tense local derby on 11 September 2026, and it was the younger side that came out on top. Taishan Football School U16 produced a disciplined, resilient performance to beat Ji'nan Licheng No. 2 Middle School U17 1-0 at their training base in Jinan, claiming three points against opponents a full age group above them.

The result is a significant one for the Taishan academy, whose U16 squad is competing up in the U17 Group this season. A single goal separated the teams on a warm, still afternoon, and it came from exactly the kind of patient build-up play the coaching staff have been drilling into the side all year.

Match Overview

Played at 15:30 local time, the fixture pitted two well-known Shandong football schools against each other in what has become one of the more keenly watched matchups in the group stage. Ji'nan Licheng No. 2 Middle School arrived with the physical advantage and controlled possession for long stretches, but they struggled to break down a compact and well-organised Taishan block.

Taishan Football School's game plan was clear from the opening whistle: stay compact, defend the central corridor, and attack at speed the moment possession turned over. It is a formula that has served youth sides well in this competition, and it worked to near perfection here.

Key Moments

• 14' — First real chance falls to Ji'nan Licheng, whose striker curls a shot narrowly wide of the far post after a neat exchange on the edge of the box.
• 29' — Taishan goalkeeper Liu Yifan makes a sharp low save to deny a close-range effort, turning the ball around the post.
• 43' — Taishan's best moment of the half: a quick counter ends with a shot blocked on the line by a recovering defender.
• 68' — Goal. Substitute Wang Zihan latches onto a clever through ball, takes a touch to steady himself and slots a low finish inside the near post to make it 1-0.
• 82' — Ji'nan Licheng push bodies forward and force two corners, but Taishan's centre-back pairing clears both comfortably.
• 90+3' — A final long ball into the box is claimed confidently by Liu Yifan, and the whistle follows moments later.

Tactical Story

Ji'nan Licheng No. 2 Middle School U17 set up in a 4-3-3 and looked to overload the wide areas, getting their full-backs high and delivering early crosses. The approach generated territorial dominance but ran into a Taishan defence that defended its penalty area with maturity beyond its years.

Taishan Football School U16 lined up in a 4-4-2 mid-block and were happy to concede possession in harmless areas. Their two central midfielders screened the back four superbly, and when they did win the ball, they moved it forward in three or four passes rather than lumping it long. The winning goal was a perfect illustration of that philosophy — a turnover, a vertical pass, and a composed finish.

The substitution that decided the match was also a tactical win for the Taishan bench. Wang Zihan's fresh legs against a tiring back line proved the difference, and his movement in behind repeatedly stretched the Licheng defence in the final twenty minutes.

Standout Players

Wang Zihan (Taishan Football School U16) — Introduced in the second half and scored the only goal of the game with a calm, technically clean finish. His runs in behind gave his team an outlet when they needed it most.

Liu Yifan (Taishan Football School U16) — Kept a clean sheet with three saves, including a crucial stop at 29 minutes. Commanded his area well and dealt with crosses under pressure.

Team captain Zhang Yuxuan (Taishan Football School U16) — A composed presence at the base of midfield, breaking up play and setting the tempo of Taishan's counter-attacks.

Ji'nan Licheng No. 2 Middle School U17 — Their left winger was the most dangerous player on the pitch for long spells, consistently beating his man and delivering quality service. The visitors will feel they deserved more from a game they largely controlled.

Season Impact

The win gives Taishan Football School U16 another valuable three points in the China Youth Football League U17 Group and reinforces their reputation as one of the most tactically disciplined academy sides in the country. Beating an older Ji'nan Licheng team in a local derby will do wonders for the squad's confidence as the group stage progresses.

For Ji'nan Licheng No. 2 Middle School U17, it is a frustrating afternoon: plenty of the ball, plenty of territory, and nothing to show for it. Converting possession into clear chances will be the priority in training before their next fixture.<