Confident 'kids' games' changers

Young team, new hope

In team sports, the young athletes had to learn not only how to win individually, but how to work together and share responsibility.

The Chinese women's volleyball team arrived in Nagoya in a period of transition.

Less than a month before the Asian Games, China lost to Thailand in the final of the Asian Volleyball Championship and missed the chance to secure direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics.

In Nagoya, China defeated Thailand in a five-set semifinal before beating Japan 3-0 in the final, winning its 10th Asian Games women's volleyball title and third in a row.

The team's average age was under 22, with veterans Gong Xiangyu, 29, and Wang Mengjie, 30, still playing important roles.

Among the younger players, 18-year-old Wang Aoqian stepped into a major role. Starting against Thailand in the semifinal, she converted 14 of 23 attacks and added two blocks and an ace for 17 points.

"This Asian Games gold is very important for our team. It boosted our confidence and gave us the belief that we can aim for a higher stage," Wang said.

"Young people should have more fighting spirit and show the vitality and energy that young people should have," she added.

That same combination of youth and belief was on display in men's football — a program that has historically faced heavy public scrutiny and intense pressure.

China's U23 team finished top of its group after one win and two draws, then beat Thailand 3-0 in the quarterfinals. It led South Korea in the semifinal before losing 2-1.

In the bronze-medal match against Uzbekistan, China twice took the lead and twice conceded an equalizer before winning 4-3 on penalties — securing China's first Asian Games men's football medal in 28 years.

Goalkeeper Li Hao was central to the achievement.

The 22-year-old started all six matches and kept three clean sheets. Before the penalty shootout against Uzbekistan, he had written a full page of notes on his opponents' penalty-taking habits and taped it to his water bottle.

The opposing goalkeeper threw the bottle into the stands, but Li was undaunted.

Before the shootout, he told his teammates: "You guys just take your penalties. We're definitely going to win." He then saved two penalties.

His calm smile as he faced the penalty-takers and his celebration after the victory quickly spread across Chinese social media. But Li was not entirely satisfied with his own performance.

China had conceded two goals in the bronze medal match, while in the semifinal against South Korea, a corner kick ended with his save hitting the post and rebounding into the goal.

"I just feel I need more training and more effort to make up for those regrets," he said.

After the medal ceremony, Li wore the jersey of teammate Li Zhenquan for a team photo. Li Zhenquan had suffered an injury before the Games and was unable to play, but his teammates made sure he was part of the celebration.

It was a snapshot of this young team — united, passionate and hardworking.

For the U23 side, their Asian Games mission is complete, and the players' professional careers are only beginning.

Some may be part of China's next World Cup campaign. Others will chase Olympic medals, world titles or records in their own sports.

What Nagoya showed was not simply how much this generation can achieve, but how it is learning to handle the attention, pressure and expectations that come with competing on a bigger stage.

The road to Los Angeles — and beyond — has only just begun.