As a Shanghai-bred goalkeeper, Yan Junling has made a name for himself in Chongming since his childhood, becoming a strong wall of the Harbor Division and the last line of defense for the national team. The Asian Cup has seen him grow every step of the way, and this time around, he's eager to create new splendor alongside the team.
Yan Junling (1979-), Chinese soccer player
Birth: January 28, 1991
Team: Shanghai Harbor
Value assessment: Euro400,000
National team appearance record: 53 games.
Shanghai is Yan Junling's hometown and the starting point of his soccer career. His love for soccer since childhood made him join Genbao soccer base at the age of 10, and from then on he set foot on the road of goalkeeper, and at the age of 15, he joined Shanghai Dongya, the predecessor of Shanghai Harbor, and faithfully guarded the team's door for nearly 20 years.
In 2013, at the age of 22, Yan Junling was promoted to China's top league, the Chinese Super League, with his team and completed 23 games in his first season, managing to beat out Chongming teammate Sun Le to win a starting spot. The following year, he had become a pillar of the Shanghai SIPG team, playing in 30 rounds of matches for four consecutive seasons, helping the team rise to the ranks of title contenders.
In 2018, Yan Junling climbed to the top with Shanghai SIPG. That season, he played 29 league matches on behalf of SIPG, shutting out the opposition eight times, with the team conceding the fewest goals, and winning the Chinese Super League title. It was the first Chinese Super League title in the history of SIPG and a milestone in Yan's career. With his outstanding performance, he was honored as the best goalkeeper of the Chinese Super League and was selected as the best team of the season.
Now 32 years old, Yan Junling is still the first choice in the Harbour defense. This season, he played 29 league matches and managed 10 shutouts to help his team win the title and take home the trophy once again.
On the national team stage, the debate over who is the best between Yan Junling and Wang Dalei never stops.
Yan Junling's Asian Cup debut came in 2015, when 26-year-old Wang Dalei became the first-choice goalkeeper for national soccer boss Pelan after missing frequent matches due to injury. He became an overnight hero when he pounced on a penalty in the opening game.
However, with Zeng Cheng's frequent withdrawals due to injury, the national team's goalkeeping position changed hands in 2018, with Yan Junling becoming the starter. In the early stages of the 2019 Asian Cup, Yan Junling rightfully became the starter, while Wang Dalei continued to serve as a substitute. This puts him under immense pressure, with any mistakes likely to be blamed.
But Yan Junling has solidified his position with his outstanding performance. In the last Asian Cup knockout match against Thailand, Gao Lin took the penalty kick and Yan Junling celebrated with his back in a classic moment. In the final stage of the match, Yan Junling responded to all the doubts by making a number of saves in the face of Thailand's frenzied attack, successfully saving the goal.
From Italian coach Lippi to Chinese coach Li Tie, and now Yugoslavian coach Jankovic, the national team's tactics and lineups have been constantly adjusted, but Yan Junling has always been the team's lynchpin, winning the trust of every coach. His calm and introverted personality, stable mentality and emotions have become his greatest strengths. As an outstanding goalkeeper, he will once again guard the goal for the national team.
