A group photo of the Hai'an Bowen Senior High School soccer team. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]

Hai'an Bowen Senior High School secured third place in the boys' under 18 division of the 2026 Jiangsu Youth Football Elite League, defeating Jiangsu Anbeisi Football Club 3-1 in the third-place playoff.

Bowen took the lead in the 26th minute when No 29 Wu Yicheng found the net. Shortly after the second half began, No 65 Ouyang Shenyi scored the equalizer for Anbeisi. Bowen regained the lead in the 66th minute through No 17 Zhang Zixuan, before Wu scored his second goal just two minutes later to seal the 3-1 victory.

The team's performance also brought individual recognition, with two players earning national first-class athlete certificates and eight receiving national second-class athlete certificates.

Founded in 2022, the soccer team from Hai'an Bowen Senior High School has made rapid progress over the past few years.

In 2024, the team finished second in its first appearance in the Jiangsu Governor's Cup. In 2025, it placed sixth in the finals of the China High School Football League, achieving the best result ever by a Jiangsu high school boys' soccer team, before securing another runner-up finish in the Jiangsu Governor's Cup. From a relatively unknown school team to a national top-six finisher, Bowen has steadily established itself as a competitive force in school soccer in Jiangsu.