In the quarter-final clash against Uzbekistan at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Jan. 17, Li became the center of attention with a stunning performance. He recorded eight crucial saves during the match, including an incredible diving stop to deny Sardorbek Bakhromov’s long-range effort in the 43rd minute, ensuring the game remained scoreless when China played defensively through 120 minutes.
His heroics continued in the penalty shootout, where he saved Dilshod Abdullaev’s shot to seal a historic 4-2 victory for the team.
After being named man of the match, Li was lifted into the air by his teammates in a moment of pure jubilation.
“I had dreamed of scenes like this many times – wearing the national team jersey and being lifted into the air by my teammates,” Li said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.
As he was raised against the backdrop of a gorgeous sunset in Jeddah, a flood of memories rushed back to the 21-year-old goalkeeper.
“I always believed this day would come,” he reflected. “I thought about how I endured the tough times and the hardships I went through. At that moment, I felt everything was worth it.”
Li Hao prepares for the penalty shootout of the U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal between China and Uzbekistan on Jan. 17, 2026. Photo by AFC
From hardship to maturity
Li’s journey has been defined by resilience. From the heartbreak of a quarter-final exit at the 2023 U20 Asian Cup and his time struggling for minutes in Spain, to the challenges of his debut season in the Chinese Super League, he believes every setback helped him mature.
In 2016, at just 12 years old, Li moved to Spain to join the youth academy of Atletico Madrid.
By 2023, he had signed a professional contract and was loaned to third-division side Cornella, where playing time was scarced.
“Opportunities were limited,” he recalled. “Not every coach prefers you, and our other goalkeepers were strong as well. It was a tough period, and I had to endure it.”
During those difficult years, the support of his loved ones kept him grounded.
“My girlfriend would ride the metro with me to training, and my parents listened to me vent on video calls,” Li said. “That’s why, after the penalty shootout, the first people I thought of were my family. I always believed I would succeed. Maybe I haven’t truly succeeded yet, but I’ve dreamed many times of moments like this.”
At the 2023 U20 Asian Cup, Li and his teammates lost to South Korea 3-1 in extra time.
In early 2025, at the suggestion of coach Shao Jiaya, Li returned to China to play for Qingdao West Coast. Initially, he struggled to keep up with the pace of the Super League, but the coaches helped him improve step by step.
Li Hao and his teammates celebrate after China defeated Uzbekistan 4-2 on penalties in the quarterfinals of the U23 Asian Cup, at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Jan. 17, 2026. Photo by AFC
Psychological warfare
During the shootout against Uzbekistan, cameras captured Li smiling and studying a note attached to his water bottle, showing that he has prepared thoroughly for this situation. However, Li revealed it was more about mind games than data.
“I’ve been through quite a few penalty shootouts, but nothing on this scale,” Li said. “I smiled because I felt we had a real chance to win. I was honestly enjoying the moment.”
He admitted the information on the bottle wasn’t entirely accurate for the specific takers he faced, but it served a purpose.
“It lists how opposing players usually take penalties – but in this match, the players written down didn’t even end up taking the kicks,” he explained. “It’s psychological warfare. When a penalty taker sees that you’ve studied them, it creates doubt. They start thinking whether to change direction or technique. That hesitation itself creates pressure.”
The tactic worked. Uzbekistan missed one penalty and Li saved another. When teammate Yang Haoyu missed his attempt, Li immediately stepped up to reassure him.
“I told him, ‘I’ll save the next one for you,'” he recounted.
The “Great Wall” of China
Li’s form continued into Tuesday’s semifinal against Vietnam. Although China shifted away from their purely defensive setup to dominate the attack in a 3-0 victory, Li’s presence remained vital. He made several key saves to keep a clean sheet, helping China advance to the final, where they will face Japan.
With an unprecedented record of zero goals conceded throughout the tournament, Chinese media have dubbed him the “super goalkeeper,” “50% of China’s strength,” and “The Great Wall of China.”
Despite the accolades, the Qingdao West Coast goalkeeper remains humble, attributing the success to teamwork.
“The credit belongs to the 10 teammates in front of me, including those who came on as substitutes. They ran more and worked harder than I do,” Li insisted. “It also belongs to the coaching staff and everyone behind the team.”
The young goalkeeper hopes he and his teammates can inspire the next generation.
“Just like when we were young, watching players from earlier generations,” Li said. “If kids see us shining on the pitch and find their own path, that would mean everything.”
