Abstract: "Grounding, adding luck, increasing talent, and learning to dominate."
In preparation for the U18 final of the first National Student (Youth) Games, the Shanghai U18 team coached by Xu Genbao has been playing frequent warm-up matches in Shanghai, aiming to sharpen the team and accumulate real-world experience.
Recently, as the "little brother" of the Shanghai U18 team with a large score against Shanghai Shenhua. Nevertheless, coach Xu Genbao expressed satisfaction that this is a good opportunity for young players to feel the rhythm and strength of the Chinese Super League, and hope that through the game to find the gap and improve themselves: "I hope they can ground, add luck, increase talent, learn to dominate."
In late May, 80-year-old Xu Genbao confirmed that he would lead the team to the first Scholastic Youth Games in 2023 and the 2025 Greater Bay Area National Games. in June, the team managed to qualify for the final stage of the tournament, which will be held in Hezhou, Guangxi, in early November.
In order to prepare for the final of the Youth League soccer tournament, the Shanghai U18 team often plays warm-up matches, "playing small against big" to enhance the team's tacit understanding.
In order to solve the problem of insufficient number of domestic high-level matches, Xu Genbao decided to train overseas early. in September, Xu Genbao, who has just recovered from rehabilitation, participated in a number of high-quality warm-up matches in Ulsan, South Korea, and the team said that they had "gained a lot".
In October, Xu Genbao's strategy is to carry out four "small to big" warm-up games. Among them, Shanghai U18 team and their own age than two years older than the Shanghai U21 ladder team game, the third is to challenge the Super League table top three Shanghai Shenhua.
Despite the fact that the win was not in doubt, Xu Genbao still watched the whole match and praised the professionalism of Shenhua players. There is a good understanding between Xu Genbao and Coach Wu Jingui to contribute to the development of Shanghai soccer.
Xu Genbao led the Shanghai U18 team to Kangqiao for the warm-up match, which was highly valued and respected by Coach Wu Jingui. The Shanghai U18 team enjoyed "super VIP treatment", with matches being held at the best venues, changing and showering after the matches, and visiting the facilities.
The youth teams challenge the Super League teams with the aim of finding gaps and gaining experience.
In 2001, Wu Jingui helped Xu Genbao as Shenhua's assistant coach, and the two champions had a good understanding between them. 2007, Xu Genbao had three appointments to play against Shenhua, and the two sides had a wonderful duel.
On July 14th, Shenhua club chairman Gu Jiqing and head coach Wu Jingui visited Xu Genbao and invited him to attend Shenhua's 30th anniversary activities. Xu Genbao expressed his gratitude for Shenhua's support.
The second day of the Lunar New Year in 2023 will mark the 80th birthday of Xu Genbao, who has been quietly working at the base for 23 years, nurturing a large number of soccer talents.
The encounter with Chinese Super League powerhouse Shenhua allowed the Shanghai U18s to gain valuable experience.
In the 2023 season, both of Shanghai's Chinese Super League teams achieved good results. Xu Genbao's soccer baseliners have quietly paid their dues and nurtured outstanding players such as Wu Lei and Yan Junling.
The Shanghai U18 team is mainly trained by the 2006 age group Shanghai Harbor ladder team at the Genbao base, with the addition of good age players from Shenhua and other clubs. Compared with the players in the 1989-1991 age group and the 1999-2000 age group, this team has been organized for a shorter period of time.
The first Student Youth Games, known as the "First Student (Youth) Games of the People's Republic of China", were held in Guangxi this year.
Xu Genbao plans to play a fourth warm-up match, but the opponent and time have not yet been determined. He hopes Wu Lei can win the match and create more learning opportunities for the young players.
