In the midst of intense preparations, the CFA quickly assembled a group of young talents to form the China U18 Men's Football Team in preparation for the international soccer event in Japan in late August - the China-Japan-Korea Sports Exchange. This team brings together the best players in the 2005/2006 age group. According to the disclosure of Beiqing Sports, Yang Chen, who was scheduled to be the head coach of the U17 national team, had to bid farewell to his coaching position due to the fact that he has a seriously ill father at home who needs to be taken care of. He will be replaced by another assistant coach of the national team, Shao Jiayi, who will be appointed as the acting head coach of the U18 national team.
Originally, the FA intended for the former U17 men's soccer coaching staff to lead the U18 team to Japan, but Yang Chen took a leave of absence due to personal matters, making it necessary to adjust this plan. After the U17 Asian Cup group stage loss, Yang Chen's team leadership was automatically terminated by contract.
After urgent deliberation, the FA decisively announced that assistant coach Shao Jiayi will officially take charge of the U18 national team, while Chen Tao will also join the coaching team. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the preparation, the U18 national team will kick off its training on July 24 at Beijing Sport University, and about 25 players are expected to join the soccer journey.
