Qiu Li

Qiu Li (, born June 6, 1981) is a former professional footballer and is currently the youth coach of Singapore Premier League club Balestier Khalsa. Born in China, he represented Singapore internationally.

Playing career

Club career Qiu started his senior career in Changchun Yatai and transferred to Liaoning Zhongyu in 2001. He was released by the club in 2005 as he was surplus to requirements.

Qiu was brought to Singapore to play for the S. League club, Sinchi FC, in 2005. After the club decided to pull out of the S-league for the 2006 season, he stayed in Singapore and agreed on a contract with the Young Lions where he excelled with 19 goals from 25 matches played. He joined Home United in 2007 but failed to find his form and joined Tampines Rovers in 2008. Impressive displays in his debuting two seasons earned him Singapore citizenship. In 2011, he joined Home United again and in 2013 he joined Balestier Khalsa after being released by Home United.

Qiu returned to Home United for the third time in 2014. However at the end of the season, he were released by the team again, and retired from playing professionally soon after.

International career Qiu made his debut for the Singapore national team on 28 May 2008, in a friendly against Bahrain.

However, on 24 November 2008, FIFA banned Qiu from playing for Singapore because he did not meet the new criteria stating that a new citizen needs to reside in his new country for five years. Qiu Li had only lived in Singapore for three years. Thus he would be only eligible to represent Singapore in 2010. Singapore lost two games by forfeit (3–0) during 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers because Qiu was lined up.

Qiu Li was naturalised in 2010 under the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme and was eligible to play for Singapore in 2010 under FIFA rules.

On 23 July 2011, Qiu Li scored his first goal for Singapore with a free-kick in the first leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Malaysia played at a sold out crowd at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Coaching career After retirement from professional football in 2015, Qiu returned to his hometown and joined China League Two (3rd division) club, Liaoning Shenyang. He helped the club to become the 2019 China League Two champions and see them promoted to China League One for the 2020 season.

On 13 January 2025, Qiu returned to Singapore to joined his former club Balestier Khalsa as the youth team academy coach.

Honours

Club Home United Singapore Cup: 2011

Balestier Khalsa League Cup: 2013

International Singapore AFF Championship: 2012