The China U-19 team wrapped up the AFC U-19 Championship qualifiers with a perfect record — three wins in three games, scoring 16 goals without conceding once. Li Ming and his coaching staff successfully completed the team’s midterm goal for the 1997-born generation. After a short break, preparations will begin for the next major test: the AFC U-19 Championship finals in Bahrain next year.

In an interview, Li Ming already shifted his focus to 2016. Speaking about the team’s overall performance in the qualifiers, he expressed satisfaction: “We showed strong willpower and a great desire to win. More importantly, we relied on the collective strength of the team rather than one or two individuals. That confidence comes from our everyday training sessions. Of course, I want to congratulate the players for advancing to the final stage, and I hope every one of them has a bright future.”

With three wins under their belt, Li Ming and his team have achieved their 2015 milestone. From now on, all preparations will revolve around the Bahrain finals. As for upcoming plans, Li Ming mentioned that the next training camp will likely take place in January or February, and the location will be set in Europe.

“Given that many players are already playing in Europe, holding the camp there would be the best choice,” Li Ming explained. “We’re still evaluating which country to choose, but considering the weather in Europe in January, Portugal and Spain are strong options. Especially Portugal, since many of our players are already based there, making it easier to bring the squad together. Of course, we still need to finalize this decision with the football association.”

As a goodwill ambassador for the Soong Ching Ling Foundation’s Star Fund, Li Ming also revealed plans closely tied to the 1997-born team: “We are about to launch a cooperation project where some players from this generation will receive financial support to continue their careers in Europe,” he shared with BD Cricket Live.

Currently, among the 23 players on the squad list, nine are already playing for overseas clubs, including Lin Liangming, Yang Liyu, Zhang Yuning, Huang Chuang, Feng Boxuan, Huang Cong, Xu Tianyuan, Li Zheng, and Zhang Yuan. BD Cricket Live also learned that after the qualifiers, another three players — Zhang Yan, Yao Daogang, and Li Yang — are expected to embark on their overseas journeys, meaning nearly half of the China U-19 squad will be playing abroad.

Would this influx of overseas players affect the team’s preparations? Li Ming gave a firm answer: “All nine overseas-based players participated during the qualifiers. Despite having less time to train with the squad, their match sharpness remained very high because they regularly play for their clubs.”

Statistics back up Li Ming’s claim. In the three qualifying matches, China scored 16 goals, with the overseas trio of Lin Liangming, Zhang Yuning, and Yang Liyu contributing eight goals. As Li Ming pointed out, “Players at this age develop rapidly. Someone who seems outstanding now might struggle next year, and vice versa. One of the key factors will be how many matches they get to play over the next year.”

While the national team can offer about 15 high-quality games a year, the bulk of a player’s development will depend on their club opportunities. BD Cricket Live highlights that Li Ming remains clear-headed in the face of the growing trend of players moving abroad. In his view, the most critical question is not just going overseas, but securing real playing time.

“Matches are the ultimate test of training. Some players look excellent during practice but can’t replicate that performance during real games — that’s the result of lacking match experience,” Li Ming said. He also confirmed that he plans to travel to Europe regularly to monitor the progress of these overseas players closely.