Currently, our men's Olympic soccer team has started a full swing overseas training in Croatia. As of the end of May, the team has played 23 games in the international arena, with a record of 6 wins, 3 draws and 14 losses, a remarkable performance. This is almost equivalent to all members of the team in the form of study abroad, the collective integration of overseas leagues, the strengthening of the strength of young players and tactical cooperation with the degree of tacit understanding have been significantly improved.
In addition, a piece of good news came for the U22 national soccer team. In the group draw for the Paris Olympics qualifiers, we were drawn in the same group as the UAE, India and Maldives, which is undoubtedly a lucky signing. We managed to avoid Japan, Australia and other strong teams, and with the United Arab Emirates in the same group, the strategy is a double whammy. The second and third opponents, India and Maldives, are of equal strength, which will provide favorable conditions for us to strive for more goal difference.
It is worth mentioning that the U22 national soccer team has a number of excellent overseas players, such as Wang Bowen and He Xiaoke. Even goalkeepers Liu Shao Ziyang and Li Hao, who play overseas, are expected to be selected for the national team. The strength of Efirdin, who had a great time at the U20 Asian Cup, should not be underestimated. Under the careful guidance of head coach Cheng Yaodong, the team has been training in Croatia and other overseas regions since the second half of 2022, and has participated in numerous high-level tournaments. In the first half of this year, Croatia and Belgium even organized several warm-up matches. Over the past year, the U22 national soccer team has been as effective in exercising as studying abroad.
Our U22 national soccer team has performed well against European teams, both teams of the same age and adult Croatian teams at all levels of the league. Recently, in a match against Croatian First Division leader NK Ruders FC, we won 1-0 thanks to a goal by He Hailong. The opponents fielded a full-strength squad and the referee was fair and impartial, adopting international standards. This victory is further proof that the U22 national soccer team has reached the top level of the Croatian First Division.
The U22 national soccer team has the advantage in the Olympic qualifiers against a solid UAE team. Should we slip up in the first round and fail to achieve the desired result, we still have a chance to secure qualification with more goal difference in India and Maldives. Meanwhile, with overseas training and quality matches over the past year, the U22 national soccer team is expected to earn the respect of the UAE with home field advantage.
