The years have passed, that U20 Asian Youth Championship of China and South Korea duel has faded into the distance, but Efirdin heart is still difficult to let go, "If not penalty kicks, we may be able to touch the threshold of the U20 World Cup, standing on the stage of the World Youth Championships, what kind of light will be?"
Regrets of the Asian Youth Championships
On the night of March 12, 2023, hundreds of millions of Chinese fans had their eyes on a battle in the spotlight: the U20 Asian Youth Championship Round of Eight - China versus South Korea. This is the first time since nine years ago that a Chinese youth team has managed to break through the group stage of the Asian Youth Championship. As long as they make it through to the last eight, China's name will once again shine on the stage of the World Youth Championship after 18 years.
Within three minutes, Mutalifu's shot from a narrow angle gave China the lead, as if the stage of the World Junior Championships was beckoning them. However, the lead didn't last as South Korea grabbed a penalty kick to equalize and scored two goals in overtime to complete the comeback, mercilessly shattering China's dream of reaching the World Junior Championships.
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Attachment of the 2023 Chinese Super League Order Book
After the match, Coach Antonio, who left the game early due to a red card, embraced his players in the locker room, both encouraging and affirming his team's performance, "Even if the game is replayed, we're still the best in Asia, we're the top eight in Asia, and we're even expected to be the top four." Antonio emphasized that the players should be proud of their performance, "We proved in the Asian circuit that we are not inferior to any opponent, and that no opponent can easily beat us. Regardless of the result, we are the strongest rivals in Asian soccer."
The night of the shattered national dream was destined to be a sleepless night for countless fans. As captain, what lingers in Efirdin's mind is the decision of that UAE referee, who was convinced that Korea's penalty kick was not fair, a scene that made it difficult for him to sleep. "After the defeat, I looked through my cell phone and saw a screen full of messages, and the first comforting text from my parents especially touched me. After videoing with them, I ... To be honest, I tossed and turned that night and had trouble sleeping. That picture has been lingering in my mind... Where can we do better? We were so close to success and yet still... Can you ever really wake up from a dream after a good night's sleep?"
Journey to Terra Nova
Efirdin took a different path to soccer, and the 2015 "Who is the King of the Ball" China Soccer Folk Competition National Finals Doll Group Championship Battle was not only the debut of his soccer career, but also the battle that brought him fame and fortune.
Despite the fact that he has not played at any youth level and has no record of playing in the China U-Series, this has not stopped the Xinjiang Kashgar child from being selected for the national brand's squad on several occasions. Over the past few years, from U16 to U19, Efirdin Eskal's name has consistently appeared on the roster of the national youth team.
Even more admirably, Efirdin realized his dream of studying abroad in 2017.J-League side Shimizu Drums U18s were the starting point of his overseas career. A year later, he joined Kashima Antlers U18, the traditional giants of the Japanese league, and featured in the 2018 Evergrande U17 International Champions Cup. It was his goals that helped Kashima Antlers win over the hosts and finish fifth in the tournament.
When talking about Japanese soccer, Efirdin used the word "rigor" to describe his feelings, especially the habits of Japanese players, the pace of the game and their attitude towards training. "When I first came to Japan, my personality and indifference didn't fit in with the rigor of the Japanese. They are well organized every day," Efelding lamented. Slowly, without realizing it, the
