Jinan girls' football team wins world championship

The girls' football team of Jinan's Licheng No 2 Middle School won the 27th World School Football Championship, which concluded in Rabat, capital of Morocco, on July 29, after defeating the girls' football team from No 1 High School of Baoding from Hebei province.

A total of 19 girls' teams from 17 countries and regions, and 32 boys' teams from 26 countries and regions participated in the world school football championship.

Girls from Jinan competed with the German team in their first match of the championship on July 23, and they secured a 2-0 victory over the German side, which were the previous champions. The girls from Jinan went on to beat the teams from Gambia, Chinese Taipei and Niger to advance to the quarterfinals, during which they beat the Brazilians after a penalty shootout that ended 4-3. They then beat the Germans 1-0 in the semi-final to secure their spot in the final.

"We were able to win the championship not only because of the girls' skills and tactics, but also because of their mindset, fighting spirit, and unity," said Yao Bo, head coach of the Licheng No 2 Middle School girls' football team.

In recent years, Jinan has attached great importance to the promotion and popularization of football in schools. In 2022, Jinan was approved as a "national youth campus football reform pilot area". Lixia, Licheng, and Zhangqiu districts were selected as national youth campus football reform pilot districts (counties).

Members and coaches of the girls' football team of Jinan's Licheng No 2 Middle School pose for a group photo for winning the champions. [Photo/Jinan Times]