Tomorrow night, Beijing time, the Chinese men's soccer team will have their last warm-up match against Uzbekistan before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifying Tournament. Tonight, national soccer coaches Yang Kovic and Zhu Chenjie attended the pre-match press conference.
After a 1-1 draw with Malaysia and a 0-1 loss to Syria, the national soccer team got back on the winning track with a 2-0 win over Vietnam in their last warm-up match, which put some pressure on the team and coach Jankovic. But then facing Uzbekistan, the team must still capitalize on this valuable warm-up opportunity. Imagine the game against Vietnam as a simulation of the team's game against Thailand in the round of 36, and tomorrow night's game against Uzbekistan as a simulation of the home game against South Korea.
In the press conference, Kovic said that after the win, the messages from the coaching staff are easier to put in place and the players are quicker to pick up on the positive signals. In addition, the team's defensive stability needs to be improved, and offensive sets have been rehearsed. We should use the match against Uzbekistan to test whether it is implemented.
With Yankovic at the helm of the national football team, the team will utilize the three central defense system more often. Yankovic said that no team in the world soccer world will only play one formation because of the team's ability to balance the two defense systems and how to deploy them well.
"In today's world soccer, no team plays only one formation, at least two. It is more common to make temporary formation changes in the same game. We prepared two different formations. We have fixed cooperation on both the offensive and defensive ends. I'm glad the players can accept and learn. Three or four backs depends on different game situations."
At the press conference, Zhu Chenjie's presence gave a signal to the outside world that he will start in tomorrow's game. In the interview that followed, Zhu Chenjie said he had no problem with his physical condition and practiced defensive tactics at the request of his coach, hoping to play well tomorrow.
"After a few days of training, we are ready and looking forward to tomorrow's game, hoping to play our tactical intentions under the guidance of our coaches and contribute to a great game. We practiced our defensive skills and tactics to limit each other's height and physicality. After recovering, I don't think I have a problem (with my physical condition) and I will give my best."
According to the schedule, this will be the last warm-up match for the 2026 World Asian National Football Team, and tomorrow will also mark the one-month mark of the 36-team countdown. Considering the poor draw for the World Asian 36, where they were grouped with the winners of Thailand, South Korea, and Singapore/Guam, the remaining month is still quite tight for the national soccer team.
Today, the location of the national soccer team's November training and the first home game of the World Qualifier were also basically determined. According to relevant media reports, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has basically decided to play the last 36 home matches in Shenzhen, considering that the gap between the away match against Thailand (Nov. 16) and the home match against South Korea (Nov. 21) is only five days.
Given the ease of transportation, the Chinese team will return to Shenzhen as early as the 17th after their first match against Thailand on the 16th and quickly get into their second round home match against South Korea. In addition, the training location in Shenzhen will also help the national soccer team prepare for the match against Thailand, given the relative proximity of Shenzhen and Bangkok, with their relatively humid and hot climates.
It is reported that all parties have reached a preliminary consensus on cooperation in organizing the match. The Shenzhen Football Association has a positive attitude towards taking over the first home match of the National Football League 36, and will make the Shenzhen Universiade Center Stadium the first choice for the China-Korea match.
Fast and furious, there's still a month to go before the national soccer team officially embarks on its journey to the 2026 World Cup! And with a game against Uzbekistan tomorrow night, can the national soccer team hit the ground running and continue their winning momentum?
