October 7 and 12, China's national soccer team will be in Sharjah, UAE and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ushered in the World Qualification Asian Zone 12 round of the third round of Vietnam and the fourth round of Saudi Arabia's challenge. According to a reporter from the Beijing Youth Daily, given that the team has stayed in a closed environment in West Asia for more than 40 days, the CFA working group and the coaching staff decided to arrange for the team to return to their home country for rest and recuperation after the away match with Saudi Arabia after in-depth communication.
Returning home to rest and recuperate to relieve stress
The Chinese team is expected to depart from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 13 and return to Shanghai on a special flight before heading to Suzhou for the tournament in isolation. Meanwhile, the proposal about the Chinese team hosting two home matches of the Top 12 in November is being actively promoted by various parties. If the program is successfully passed, the Chinese team is expected to meet the challenges of Oman and Australia in Suzhou.
A double test in the midst of an epidemic
Affected by the epidemic, the Chinese team in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are required to strictly abide by the local epidemic prevention regulations, training, competition and life in a closed environment. Long-term separation from family and monotonous life content, undoubtedly brought the team both physical and psychological test. The fatigue during the preparation period is not only reflected in the body, but also in the mental level. The long period of closure and pressure made the players prone to negative emotions.
Considering the past month's preparations, the FA working group and the coaching staff have decided that the team will return home to make adjustments immediately after the away match against Saudi Arabia, regardless of whether the two home matches in November can be played in the country.
Suzhou Region prepares for the competition
According to the current situation, the Chinese team will enter the country from Shanghai, through the "bubble" epidemic prevention closed loop directly transferred to the Suzhou tournament site - Taihu Tai Mei Xianggu Li Hotel, during which will be subjected to medical isolation and observation, and continue to do the next 12 strong match closed The
Whether the home matches of the 5th and 6th rounds of the Chinese team's 12-team tournament can be held in the country has aroused widespread concern. It is reported that the Football Association has been actively communicating to strive to arrange home matches in the country, the relevant application procedures have also been initiated. As the tournament epidemic prevention work is critical, must strictly fulfill the approval process, to be approved after the program, the federation also need to report the program to FIFA.
If the application goes through, the Chinese team will likely host the Nov. 11 Round 5 match against Oman and the Nov. 16 Round 6 match against Australia in Suzhou. Preparations for the tournament have already started in Suzhou.
Experienced in Suzhou
Suzhou has successfully hosted important soccer events such as the Chinese Super League, the AFC Cup, and the Women's Olympic Preliminary Round Supplementary Match, accumulating a wealth of experience in preventing epidemics and organizing matches. The venues and hotels in the region meet the standards of the 12 strong matches, and the work is well implemented. In addition, the international players are welcome to play in Suzhou.
