We will be competing with teams from China, Japan and South Korea in the upcoming international sports exchange soccer tournament to be held in Wakayama, Japan, in late August. The State General Administration of Sports has confirmed that through the careful preparation of the CFA, a Chinese U18 men's soccer team consisting of the best players in the 2005/2006 age group is ready to go. According to the latest news from Beijing Youth Daily, before this trip, the CFA had planned to have the coaching staff of the former U17 age group China U17 men's soccer team to lead the U18 team to Japan. However, Yang Chen, the head coach of the U17 national soccer team, was unable to continue his coaching duties because he had to take care of his sick father at home. Therefore, the CFA urgently assigned Shao, the 15th assistant coach of the national soccer team, to temporarily act as the coach.
Recalling last month's U17 Asian Cup in Chonburi, Thailand, the 2006 China U17 men's soccer team coached by Yang Chen performed poorly in the group stage and failed to advance to the knockout stage. The team returned home on June 23rd. It was at this time that the General Administration of Sport commissioned the CFA to urgently form a U18 national soccer team consisting of elite players in the 2005/2006 age group in preparation for the China-Japan-Korea Sports Exchange Soccer Tournament to be held from August 24 to 28 in Wakayama, Japan.
Originally, the CFA planned for the U17 coaching team led by Yang Chen to be in charge of the trip to Japan. However, due to the seriousness of Yang Chen's father's condition, he had to abandon the team and the surgery program was postponed. The decision was a sad one as Yang Chen was unable to take care of his family while shouldering the team's heavy responsibility. Yang Chen will not be able to return home to accompany and take care of his father until he finishes the tournament.
In the face of this unexpected situation, the CFA quickly adjusted its strategy and selected Shao Jiayi and Chen Tao, two assistant coaches of the national soccer team, to participate in the coaching of the U18 national soccer team, and appointed Shao Jiayi as the head of the coaching team. This arrangement not only takes into account Shao's responsibilities in the national team, but also takes into account Chen Tao's experience in coaching the Shenzhen club team. The coaching staff also includes Yang Chen and Wu Ming, assistant coaches of the former U17 national soccer team.
It is reported that the U18 national soccer team will gather at Beijing Sport University on the 24th to prepare for the upcoming tournament. About 25 players are expected to take part in the selection process, including many members of the former U17 national soccer team. However, top scorer Wang Yudong will not be able to participate in the tournament as he has been signed by the Chinese Super League club Zhejiang.
