In May 2023, Choi Kang-hee took charge of the Taishan team coaching whip. (Photo source: official microblogging Shandong Taishan Club)
February 20, the second round of the AFC Champions League 1/8 finals, Shandong Taishan reversed Kawasaki Striker with 4:2 on the road, totaling 6 points, realizing a stunning reversal and advancing to the last eight, equal to the team's best-ever AFC Champions League record. This victory is like a "cardiotonic agent", for the Chinese soccer and fans in the doldrums to bring hope. Some netizens suggested that in the context of Yankovic's poor coaching performance and the high possibility of a change in the national team's head coach, Taishan should be used as a team to invite Choi Kang-hee to take the helm of the national soccer team.
Kawasaki Striker's second round match featured amazing performances from many domestic players: Li Yuan assisted his team in front of the field for Rexam's goal, Gao Junyi scored two goals on a counterattack, and Wang Dalei made flying saves to neutralize the opponent's multiple threats... These players have won praise from the fans for their excellent play. Although they have limited opportunities to play in the national team, many fans called for the national team to give more Taishan players the chance to show their talents.
On March 26, the national football team will meet the Singaporean team at the Tianjin Olympic Sports Center Stadium, officially opening the 2026 U.S.-Canada-Mexico World Cup qualifying round of 36 matches. The game is just around the corner, but the key issue of coaching turnover in the national soccer team is still unclear.
Nevertheless, the possibility of Choi Kang-hee becoming the head coach of the national team is slim. Choi Kang-hee himself has little interest in coaching the national team. Some South Korean media revealed that Choi Kang-hee will decline the invitation of the Chinese men's soccer team due to "physical reasons".
Cressan is the man responsible for Taishan's promotion. Up to now, Cressan has scored 8 goals in this year's AFC Champions League, topping the list of AFC Champions League scorers. Chinese fans are so fond of Klassan's outstanding performance that they hope the national team can introduce Klassan to wear the Chinese team's uniform.
According to relevant FIFA regulations, Crezan must have lived in China for five years in order to represent the national soccer team. Crezan joined Taishan in April 2022 and has been in the Chinese Super League for less than two years, and will have to wait until April 2027 at the earliest before he can meet the conditions for naturalization. By then, he will be 30 years old.
