Chinese women's soccer team prepares for Yongchuan Championship
On October 8, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) issued an important notice marking a new journey for the Chinese women's soccer team, which will begin its third intensive training session of the year and compete in the Yongchuan Championship from October 10-30 in Yongchuan, according to reporter Wang Wei. The tournament, which will see the Chinese women's soccer team welcome Uzbekistan and Vietnam women's soccer teams, will be the first official tournament on home soil since Coach Milicic took over.
Milicic called up 26 players this time, slightly adjusting the lineup compared to the previous stage. Zhang Linyan was absent due to injury, while Yao Wei, Wu Haiyan and Zhao Yuxin represented Wuhan Women's Football Team. Among them, Zhao Yuxin returned to the coach's field of vision with her outstanding performance in the league, while Yao Wei and Wu Haiyan are familiar faces in the national team. Three players from Guangdong Province were selected, a decrease from the previous period.
Yuan Cong, the Golden Boot of the Women's Super League this season, national team regulars Dou Jiaxing and Tang Jiali are all on the list, in addition to young players Wang Frost and Li Mengwen, who are playing in the European league, have also joined the list of participants. Coach Milicic, who has led the team to a draw and a loss in two international matches since taking over, hopes to scout players and hone his lineup through the Yongchuan Championship.
The Chinese women's soccer coaching team also welcomed new members, with former international players Li Dongna and Ren Guixin joining the coaching team, reflecting the CFA's determination to train young coaches. The Yongchuan Championship, as a brand event, provides valuable exchange opportunities for the Chinese women's soccer team, and despite the fact that there are only three teams participating in this tournament, the Chinese women's soccer team is still counting on accumulating confidence through victories.
Zhang Linyan was injured in the AFC Champions League and missed the current training roster, the national team lost a key player on the sidelines. It will be interesting to see how Coach Milicic will adjust the lineup.
Meanwhile, the U20 national youth team will also be training, with new coach former South Korean coach and England's Colin Bell leading the team's preparations for the 2026 U20 Women's Asian Cup and possibly the U20 Women's World Cup.
