In preparation for the 31st China-Japan-Korea Youth Games, which will be held in Wakayama, Japan, from 24 to 28 July, China's U18 men's soccer team assembled at the Beijing Sport University on July 24, and then underwent a month-long preparation for the tournament. At noon on August 9, the team traveled to the Niu Camel Soccer Training Base in Langfang, Hebei Province, and played their first warm-up match in two days against the newest team in the Chinese Championship, Langfang Glory City, with the U18 National Football Team eventually winning 2-0 against their opponents.
With the exception of a substitute goalkeeper, all 25 players selected for the U18 national football training squad this term were present in this match. Being the head of the Chinese coaching staff of this team, former international player Shao Jiayi said, "There are few opportunities to get our players on the field as much as possible. It is reported that about half of the players in the U18 national soccer training team held in Chonburi, Thailand in June this year participated in the U17 Asian Cup. In other words, the elite players of the former U17 national soccer team can stay in the national echelon through the U18 national soccer team, thus getting the opportunity to compete in high-quality international competition, which is very favorable to their growth.
It is understood that, in addition to a few players such as Wang Yudong, who could not participate in the team because they were retained by their clubs, most of the selected players took part in the training of the U18 national soccer team, which began on the 24th of last month.The U18 national soccer team is looking for suitable opponents for warm-up matches, taking into account the arduous task of preparing for the war, and the time constraints of the preparations. Earlier, the U18 national soccer team played its first warm-up match against Guoan U21 team, which resulted in a 2-2 draw.
