In October 2025, the “Freshman Cup” football competition at NPU concluded successfully. After a series of intense matches, the QMES football team claimed the championship title with their tenacious spirit, strong teamwork, and exceptional technical performance. The victory represents not only an athletic achievement but also a vivid demonstration of QMES students’ unity, collaboration, and perseverance.
Let us take a look back at the spirited and passionate journey that led to the championship title.
Group Stage
During the group stage, facing a number of strong opponents, the QMES players fought courageously and secured three consecutive victories, finishing at the top of their group and advancing smoothly to the knockout stage.
Group Stage Results
QMES 7–1 NPU-MAI School
QMES 4–2 School of Marine Science and Technology
QMES 3–0 School of Software
Quarter-finals
In the quarter-finals, the QMES football team faced the School of Mechanics and Transportation Engineering. Although the team missed an early chance within the first four minutes, the players quickly regained composure. Player Zhou Zijing (No. 12) opened the scoring to level the match. This was soon followed by goals from He Changle (No. 91) and Dai Yunpeng (No. 77), which firmly shifted the momentum in QMES’s favour. As Yang Di (No. 22) netted the final goal towards the end of the game, QMES sealed an emphatic 7–1 victory and advanced to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals
In the semi-finals, QMES faced the formidable Kongtian Team 1. Early in the match, He Changle (No. 91) put QMES ahead with the opening goal. However, within just two minutes, the opponents scored twice to take the lead. In a tense moment near the end of regular time, Zhou Zijing (No. 12) scored with a precise low-angle shot to equalise. The match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, in which He Changle (No. 91) delivered a composed performance, helping QMES secure a place in the final.
Final
The much-anticipated final kicked off amid cheers and applause from the stands, with QMES facing the School of Marine Science and Technology. In the 9th minute, the opposition opened the scoring, but QMES responded calmly, maintaining their fighting spirit and composure. In the 16th minute, Zhou Zijing (No. 12) received a precise pass from Jiang Zhuoyuan (No. 2) and calmly slotted the ball past the defenders to level the score. Late in the match, Jiang Zhuoyuan (No. 2) won possession in QMES’s half and carried the ball forward. Although his initial shot was off target, he reacted quickly to the rebound and scored on the follow-up, securing a 2–1 come-from-behind victory. As the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted. The first-year players of QMES’s Class of 2025 celebrated together, lifting the school’s first-ever “Freshman Cup” football trophy in triumph.
The QMES’s victory in this year’s “Freshman Cup” fully showcased the students’ sporting spirit of resilience and teamwork. It also strengthened their sense of collective pride and cohesion. Looking ahead, QMES will continue to support the development of student sports culture, encouraging more students to shine through athletics and pursue excellence through dedication and effort.
（QMES Team Roster for the 2025 “Freshman Cup”: Zhou Zijing, Jiang Zhuoyuan, Yang Di, Zhang Yibin, He Changle, Liu Ziche, Chen Chunhao, Mao Chengbo, Wu Yulun, Wang Weikai, Zhu Jingqi, Wang Haixu, Dai Yunpeng, He Hongxi, Fu Zhuohan）
Text: Zhou Zijing, Zhang Zixiu, and Ma Xiaoxuan
Photo: NPU Student Football Club
Translator: Fang Jie
Reviewer: Cheng Yin
