On January 16, 2021, reporter Ma Dexing disclosed that the U23 national Olympic team led by China's Cheng Yaodong in 2001 suffered unprecedented difficulties. In fact, the team's troubles stemmed from a decision made by the higher management in the first place - to cancel the tournament.
According to the AFC's competition rules, the results of one match can often influence the classification and draw for subsequent tournaments. For example, in October 2021, when the AFC hosts its fifth Asian Cup and the group stage of the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers is about to begin, the 99-year-old Jankovic's team has already signed up for the tournament and completed its final preparations at its base in Xianghe. However, the CFA had planned to send the team to Tajikistan on a chartered flight to compete in the tournament due to the outbreak of the epidemic, but the plan was rejected when it was reported to higher levels of management.
During an epidemic, the health of the athletes becomes the primary consideration. Although the proposal of the Football Association was made from a professional point of view, the management's decision, once made, cannot be changed. Failure to participate would have directly affected the qualifying rounds for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but ultimately the management's decision could not be reversed.
The AFC has stipulated that the sixth Asian Cup will be held in early September this year.The group stage of the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, the first phase of the men's Asian qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, will be determined by the AFC in the fifth Asian Cup tournament in 2022 and the draw will be made.
If all AFC-affiliated member associations sign up for the tournament, hosts Qatar will advance directly to the finals without having to participate in the qualifiers. At that point, China could become a fifth-tier team, the weakest level. This is the first time in the history of China's national teams at all levels to face such a tough challenge in the qualifiers.
