In September, the Hangzhou Asian Games will witness a new journey for the Chinese men's soccer team. For the first time since the smoke cleared from last year's World Qualifier, China's soccer team is embarking on a journey to an intercontinental tournament.
In the group draw for the Asian Games, our men's soccer team was placed in Group A with India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Although the strength of our soccer team has slipped, falling into the third rate in Asia, advancing to the knockout rounds does not seem to be out of reach against relatively weaker opponents.
The Asian Games men's soccer schedule has been finalized. The Chinese men's soccer team will face India on September 19th, Myanmar on September 21st, and Bangladesh on September 24th, their last opponent in Group A. All three matches are scheduled to be played in the afternoon. At that time, the CCTV sports channel CCTV5 will be broadcast live, looking forward to the majority of fans in front of the TV to cheer for the Chinese men's football.
Although the Asian Games is not a top international tournament, it is a crucial game for our men's soccer team, which is about winning and regaining confidence. At that time, our men's soccer team will send the strongest lineup to strive for good results.
It is reported that each team is allowed to have three overage players in the Asian Games men's soccer tournament. Coach Djurdjevic will leave the three overage player slots for naturalized players, taking into account the players' performances in the World Qualifiers.
Undoubtedly, Jiang Guangtai has become the best center back player in our country and will assume the core of the national football defense in the coming years. And among the naturalized players, Ackerson and Fernando are worth watching.
With Beijing Guoan's Zhang Yuning out for the season and Shandong Taishan's Guo Tianyu suspected of match-fixing taken away for investigation, Djurdjevic can only use naturalized player Ekerson as the starting center forward of the men's football team for the Asian Games. Despite being in his late thirties, Eckerson is still in excellent form and has scored as many goals as he has in Chengdu Rongcheng this season, which is enough for him to be the main center forward of the national football team.
Another naturalized player, Fernando, has been in hot form recently. Although he hasn't played in an official match for two years, he has quickly regained his form after joining Shandong Taishan. Choi Kang-hee's coaching has revitalized Fernando and he has been making a lot of noise in the league. His speed and ability to break through is one of the best in Asia's weakest teams, and he is expected to shine at the Asian Games.
Therefore, Djurdjevic is expected to bring Fernando to the Asian Games. If he performs well in the tournament, he will be a good choice to be the main winger for the World Qualifiers.
