First appearance in 2026, the '07 national youth team defeats Australia

Report by Chen Yong On March 28, the U19 national football team (the national youth team of the 2007 age group, referred to as the '07 national youth team) defeated the Australian U19 national youth team 1-0 in Zhejiang Yiwu. Following the victories of the '09 national youth team and the U23 national team against Australia, China's youth national teams have once again achieved a win against Australia, demonstrating the gradual recovery of Chinese youth football.

The '07 national youth team was formed in August 2025, with head coach Djurdjevic. In 2025, the team conducted three training camps: the first from mid-August to early September (59 players), one from early to mid-November (31 players), and another in early December (27 players). During this period, they participated in the China-Japan-Korea Youth Sports Games and played two friendly matches against Kyrgyzstan.

This is the first training camp of the '07 national youth team in 2026, with two matches against the Australian U19 national youth team on August 28 and 31. In the first encounter on August 28, the '07 national youth team won 1-0.

Although it is the 2007 age group, this team includes many players familiar to fans, such as defenders Yue Ruijie and Deng Jiefu. Yue Ruijie joined Tongliang Long on loan this year, and Deng Jiefu has temporarily secured a starting position at Beijing Guoan. The midfield and forward line feature players like Yang Mingrui, Jiang Yixiang, and Miao Rundong. Additionally, there are two overseas players, Zhang Jiaming and Wei Xiangxin.

For this match, Djurdjevic arranged the starting lineup as follows: goalkeeper Yi Heshan; defenders Deng Jiefu, Guo Wuyue, Yue Ruijie, Song Hengda; midfielders Yang Zhanpeng, Xie Chuyun, Yang Mingrui, Jiang Yixiang, and Miao Rundong; and forward Jia Weiwei. During the match, substitutes included Zhang Jiaming, Liu Jiale, Zhu Xinyu, Wu Zhizheng, Zhang Tongrui, and Wei Xiangxin.

In the 31st minute, Miao Rundong broke through continuously on the left flank and shot, the ball was blocked by a defender, and Yang Mingrui followed up to score. In the 80th minute, Australia was awarded a penalty, but the penalty taker's "chip" shot was caught by goalkeeper Yi Heshan. Ultimately, the '07 national youth team defeated Australia 1-0.

In this match, possession was nearly equal, with the '07 national youth team at 49% versus Australia's 51%. Both teams had 12 shots. Australia's advantage was in having more corner kicks, but these were not particularly threatening.

The most outstanding performer in this match was Miao Rundong, nicknamed the "Xuzhou Mbappé." He constantly pressured opponents on the left flank. Besides assisting Yang Mingrui's goal, he also had a brilliant breakthrough followed by a narrow-angle shot that hit the crossbar.

Miao Rundong initially trained in speed skating and won a championship in Jiangsu Province. In second grade, as school football became more widespread, he began to enjoy football. In 2019, he entered the Jiangsu Football Association's 2007 age group youth team through bone age testing. In 2024, he helped the team win the U17 group championship in the China Youth Football Tournament, scoring a goal in the final. In 2025, he represented the Xuzhou team in the Jiangsu Super League and played for the Jiangsu U18 team in the 15th National Games, finishing fourth. In the 2026 season, he will represent Jiangsu Changjin in the China Champions League.

Up to now, facing Australia, one of the strong teams in the AFC, multiple Chinese national teams have performed excellently: in the 2026 U23 Asian Cup, the U23 national team (2003 age group) defeated Australia 1-0; in earlier qualifiers, the U23 team drew 0-0 with Australia; even earlier, in June 2025, the U16 national team ('09 national youth team) defeated Australia 5-2. The consecutive victories of multiple national teams against Australia are also seen by the outside world as a sign of the gradual recovery and even systematic revival of Chinese youth football.

The '07 national youth team will go to France in late May to participate in the Toulon Tournament. The schedule has been released: they will face Saudi Arabia on May 31, Democratic Congo on June 2, Colombia on June 5, and Tunisia on June 8. This Toulon Tournament will be the most important training opportunity for the '07 national youth team.

In 2027, the '07 national youth team will participate in the U20 Asian Cup, scheduled from March 24 to April 10 in Hangzhou.