A review of soccer development in China in 2023
The year 2023 has been an eventful year for Chinese soccer. Problems erupted like a volcano, exposing the contradictions and dark side of the industry, with words like match-fixing and scandals once again in the spotlight. Public trust has plummeted, questions about results have risen, and the cause of Chinese soccer has been devastated by hesitations in matches and controversies off the field.
The national soccer team's exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has been a laughing stock for several years, with the local tournament's frequent scandals, especially incidents of match-fixing, unpaid wages and high-level violations, doubly disappointing fans. These problems are not the fault of individual organizations or individuals, but a whole systemic and comprehensive crisis. As a result, reform was imperative, and new management and institutions began to emerge.
In the face of the previous disorganization, the new management will find it difficult to prove its competence in the short term. Following traditional Chinese philosophical concepts, they first chose to stabilize the foundations, and the reform measures proposed by Song Kai were relatively mild. As he puts it, "Chinese soccer can't afford another upheaval!"
In men's soccer, the World Cup qualifiers were in full swing, with the results of the first two matches largely meeting expectations. However, the failure of the naturalization policy has angered fans, and it is unacceptable to invest heavily without seeing results. The performance of youth teams at all levels is also a cause for concern, with the National Olympic team suffering a crushing defeat against Tajikistan and an unfavorable grouping for the U23 Asian Cup.
The loss at the Asian Games has brought shame to Chinese soccer once again. Despite more support for Djurdjevic's side, we struggled against strong opponents such as South Korea. This was also reflected in the stark contrast between the obvious provocation and bursting self-confidence of the opposition before the national football team played Thailand.
The highly acclaimed Chinese women's soccer team has also failed to achieve the desired results. Poor performances in the World Cup, Asian Games and Olympic qualifiers have exposed that the level of Chinese women's soccer is no longer world-class. The sacking of the head coach was inevitable, but it does not mean a new chapter for the women's soccer team. They need to address issues such as talent development, team building and league attention.
In general, China's soccer business faces many difficulties, with problems in both men's and women's soccer. The new management team is facing a huge challenge. Reform is not enough to rely on slogans and mental strength, but requires professionals to devote themselves to the relevant work.
