On May 20, a news from Beijing Youth Daily shocked the soccer world: the tight schedule of the Chinese Super League has led to a number of injuries to stars, including Wu Xi, Zhang Yuning, Wang Gang, He Chao and Zhang Linmiao, who are either members of the national team or international players. This unexpected situation will undoubtedly bring challenges and unknowns to the national and men's soccer teams, which will be assembling for the upcoming matches in June.
In a marquee match between Shenhua and Guoan, Wu Xi and star striker Zhang Yuning were unavailable due to injuries, while right-side star defender Wang Gang was also absent due to injury. Guoan, who had been at full strength, only came on in the 60th minute after captain Yang Liyu came on as a substitute. Left back Li Lei likewise came in just before the end of the match, due to cramps in Nai Bijiang during his debut.
The list of injuries goes far beyond that. During the pre-match training for the seventh round of the Chinese Super League against Zhejiang, Hong Kong's main defender Zhang Linmiao unfortunately suffered a strain and was unable to take part in the match. Henan's Wang Shangyuan and other players also suffered injuries of varying degrees.
These players are indispensable stalwarts for their respective clubs. Their absence will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the Chinese men's soccer team and the upcoming men's soccer team for the Asian Games, especially on the preparation for the Asian Games.
In fact, Jankovic, the head coach of the national soccer team, and Djurdjevic, the head coach of the men's soccer team for the Asian Games, have been frequently visiting the over-age players recently in order to be able to learn more about the players' status and to select the best candidates to be included in the preparatory roster. This also means that the men's soccer team's waiting list of overage international players may be expanded as a result.
