Wang Tao (footballer, born 1970)

Wang Tao (Simplified Chinese: 王涛; 22 April 1970 – 3 November 2022) was a Chinese professional footballer who played as a striker. He made two appearances for the China national team. After his retirement he helped establish the newly formed Beijing Baxy football team and would become their chairman until he left in 2011.[1]

Wang Tao
王涛
Personal information
Date of birth (1970-04-22)22 April 1970
Place of birth Dalian, China
Date of death 3 November 2022(2022-11-03) (aged 52)
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1986–1989 Dalian Youth
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1993 Dalian Football Team
1994–1999 Dalian Wanda FC 126 (57)
2000–2001Beijing Guoan (loan) 40 (23)
2002 Beijing Guoan 14 (2)
International career
1997–2000 China 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Biography

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Wang Tao was a highly prolific striker who rose to prominence with Dalian Wanda FC during the period when the Chinese league moved towards full professionalism. Benefiting from the professional league system Wang Tao became a highly prolific striker and aided the team to win the 1994 league title, while personally coming second in the top goal scorers chart.[2] This led to several further titles and Dalian becoming the dominant team within the league, however, while he saw his teammates quickly establish themselves within the national team Wang Tao would have to wait until a friendly against USA on 29 January 1997 in a 2–1 victory before he was given his chance to make an impact at the international stage.[3] Wang Tao would, however, only make one further international appearance despite his consistent goalscoring form until the 2000 league season saw his teammate Wang Peng take over from him at Dalian and Chinese football teams. Wang Tao would then join Beijing Guoan where he ended his football career.

Wang died on 3 November 2022, at the age of 52.[4]

Honours

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Dalian Wanda FC

References

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  1. ^ 国安旧将 昔日高佬今经商 王涛郭维维携手创业 at XINHUANET.com 16 January 2005 Retrieved 25 August 2012
  2. ^ 1994年全国足球甲级队(A组)联赛 at zuqiuziliao.cn 14 July 2011 Retrieved 25 August 2012
  3. ^ China 2-1 USA at teamchina.freehostia.com 29 January 1997 Retrieved 25 August 2012
  4. ^ "哀悼!大连万达功勋前锋小王涛去世 享年52岁". Sina. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
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