The U20 national soccer team lost in overtime to South Korea, stopping the last eight and missing out on the World Youth Championships, but the youngsters were phenomenal, earning praise from Chinese fans, and now we are more concerned about what will happen to them, will they take it to the next level, or will they disappear?
Hope for the future of Chinese soccer after 2003
The age criteria for the U20 Asian Cup was born after January 1, 2003, and the U20 national soccer team had 11 players born in 2003 and 11 players born in 2004, 50/50! Peng Xiao, born in 2005, was also born.
As a result, these youngsters are only 20 years old, a large number are 19 and 18, and the youngest is only 17. However, the tenacious morale and tactical execution they show on the pitch is truly mature beyond their years, which makes people look forward to their future.
Of course, this is not the strongest lineup in the U20 age group. Talented players such as He Xiaoke, Liu Guobao, Liu Shao Ziyang and Jia Boyan were not selected this time, but it doesn't mean that they don't have a chance in the future.
However, the reality that needs to be recognized is that there are fewer than 500 to choose from and fewer than 50 to select from at the start of the U20 national soccer team. Therefore, how to protect and nurture these hard-won seedlings is the next topic that should be given more attention.
Two paths to development
The age of 18-20 is a crucial period in the development of professional players. They don't look old, but they have to catch up without delay, because abroad and in Europe, many players in this age group have been able to play steadily in leagues and even be selected for the national team.
One of the most important development paths for these young stars is to get established at a Chinese Super League club and get more playing opportunities and workouts.
About 10 of the 23-man roster for the U20 Asian Cup appeared in last season's Chinese Super League. Captain Efirdin was a key training target for Guangzhou, making 15 starts and three assists in 23 Premier League games.
Mutalifu's outstanding performance was also not possible without the workout of 22 games, 14 starts and 3 goals in the Chinese Super League. He is also known as the Gemini star of Chengdu Chengdu. Baiheramu did not play in the Chinese Super League but made five starts in six games in the AFC Champions League.
I am sure that after their excellent performance in the U20 Asian Cup, they will be given more opportunities in the new season of the Chinese Super League and become a major force in more music departments in the next two to three years for steady progress and improvement and to move up to a higher level of the national team.
Apart from the Chinese Super League, the other way is to study abroad. Although several highly regarded youngsters from overseas did not get Antonio's favor this time, it must be admitted that studying abroad can improve the knowledge and level of both young players and adult internationals, and is the only way for Chinese soccer to develop.
Li Hao, a gritty goalkeeper, is about to join Atletico Madrid, and Efirdin has caught the attention of European teams. Players, including Mutalifu and Byhramu, should also go out to see and be influenced and trained at a higher level of professional soccer if they have the opportunity to study abroad.
With new and old in the National Football League, top students can skip a grade to make the team
After the U20 Asian Cup, Efirdin, Byhram and Hu will improve the Olympic team in preparation for the U23 Asian Cup and Olympic qualifiers. Yankovic, who became the national soccer coach, also emphasized the importance of replacing the old with the new, with more Olympic and Asian players coming into the national team in the future.
The U20's "top students" like Efeldin, Mutalifu, and Bayram, who have very distinctive technical characteristics, could actually be promoted even more boldly. Taking advantage of the critical upward phase of their careers, they will be recruited to the adult national team earlier, see more of the world, and bring more challenges and competition to their big brothers.
At the end of the day, I just hope that these young players thrive and keep popping up in the future instead of disappearing like so many of their predecessors!
