Nation's soccer strength reboots for a new era

Li said Shao has long been a mentor. "When I first started playing in the CSL, I couldn't keep up with the tempo at all," he recalled. "Coach Shao and goalkeeping coach Yang Zhi helped me adjust step by step and guided my improvement."

"Coach Shao always told me to set my goals higher and believe firmly in my pursuit. Without that encouragement, I might not have made it out of my low point. He gave me immense trust and helped me regain my confidence."

Now that Shao has taken charge of the senior national team, Li hopes to soon don the senior team jersey.

Although this U23 Asian Cup was not directly tied to Olympic qualification, the achievement has laid a solid foundation for China's push to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

At the 2028 U23 Asian Cup, only the top two finishers will earn Olympic berths, with seeding determined by results from the previous three editions. Thanks to this year's performance, China is set to shed its fourth-seed status, potentially benefiting from a more favorable group draw.

Looking ahead, several players — including Wang Yudong and Kuai Jiwen — will remain eligible for the next cycle.

Combined with prospects such as Liu Chengyu and Li Xinxiang, who narrowly missed out this time, this battle-tested generation appears better prepared to face future challenges, even if Asia's Olympic quota is reduced to two places.