In May 2023, Choi Kang-hee coached the Taishan team. (Photo source: official microblogging Shandong Taishan FC)
On February 20, the second round of the AFC Champions League 1/8 finals, Shandong Taishan defeated Kawasaki Striker on the road 4:2, totaling 6 points. : 5 to achieve a great reversal, advanced to the AFC Champions League eight, tying the team's history of the best AFC Champions League record. This long-awaited victory has also given Chinese soccer and fans in the doldrums of a "strong heart". Some netizens expressed the hope that in the context of Yankovic's poor coaching performance and the high probability of replacement of the national team's head coach, Taishan as a team, invited Cui Kangxi to guide him as the head coach of the national soccer team.
In the second round of Kawasaki Striker's match, the performance of many domestic players was eye-catching:Li Yuan was forced to help attack Kressan's breakthrough in front of the field, Gao Junyi curled a counterattack to score beyond a goal, Wang Dalei made a flying save to destroy the opponent's excellent opportunity... The wonderful performance of these players was recognized by the fans. The above three players have limited appearances in the national team. That's why many fans voiced their hope that the national team can arrange more excellent Taishan players to play on the field.
On March 26, the national football team will face Singapore at the Tianjin Olympic Sports Center Stadium, officially opening the 2026 U.S.-Canada-Mexico World Cup qualifying round of 36 tournament. The match is just around the corner, but the most critical coaching change for the national soccer team remains unanswered.
However, it is difficult for Choi Kang-hee to become the head coach of the national soccer team. Choi Kang-hee is not very interested in the head coaching position of the national soccer team. According to some Korean media, Choi will refuse to take over the Chinese men's soccer team for "physical reasons".
Cressan is the hero of Taishan's second promotion. So far, Cressan has scored 8 goals in this year's AFC Champions League and has made it to the top of the AFC Champions League scorers list. Chinese fans are full of "love" to see Klassen's outstanding performance. They hope that the national soccer team can naturalize Klassen and let him wear the Chinese team's jersey.
According to the relevant FIFA regulations, Cressan will have to spend 5 years in China in order to play for the national soccer team. Crezan, who joined Taishan in April 2022, has been in the Chinese Super League for less than 2 years and will have to wait until April 2027 at the earliest before he meets the requirements for naturalization. By then, he will be 30 years old.
