On March 9 in Haikou, China's men's soccer team ushered in its first warm-up match in preparation for the tournament, and the result was a 1-1 handshake with Changchun Yatai's mixed team, ending the winning streak of the previous warm-up matches. The warm-up match revealed two key messages: first, the national football team in the first and second half of the three center-back formation, which may become the strategy against Saudi Arabia; second, the captain Wu Xi suspended due to accumulation of yellow cards, the national football team has not yet found a suitable replacement.
Three center back formation becomes new option for national football team
In this training, the national football team arranged a total of three warm-up matches, respectively, on the 9th, 12th and 15th. 9 days of the game, although the Chinese team and Yatai drew, but given that the Chinese team has been focusing on physical reserves, has not yet fully entered the game, so the score does not have too much reference value.
Changchun Yatai team is also preparing for the new season, this warm-up did not send full strength, most of the main players are absent, the team is mainly composed of replacements and trial players. Chen Yang, the former assistant coach of the Yatai team, took a very serious attitude towards the warm-up game this time.
With one goal in the first half and one in the second, the rotation of China's two starting lineups also reflects the team's preference for the three centerback formation. In the first half, Yu Dabao, Zhu Chenjie and Liu Yang manned the back four, while in the second half they were replaced by Zhu Chenjie, Zheng Zheng and Zhang Linpeng.
Zhu Chenjie started in both halves and will, unsurprisingly, be the starter. Recently Zhu Chenjie's outstanding performance in training has been recognized by the coaching staff. In addition to Zhu Chenjie and Zhang Linpeng, Jiang Guangtai is also likely to occupy the third starting center back position, there is not much suspense in the selection.
It is worth mentioning that the previous national football team in the fight against Japan and Vietnam, the use of 4231 formation, but the effect is not good, the number of goals conceded to 5, to become the same period of Group B worst defense team. The change to play three defenders, can be seen as head coach Li Xiaopeng for the first two group stage problems in the tactical adjustment. However, the effect is still to be tested in the actual game.
Wu Xi out, replacement not yet known
In the match against Vietnam, the national football team not only lost the game, captain Wu Xi also accumulated two yellow cards suspended. Wu Xi, as the core of the team's midfield, has an irreplaceable role, almost running all over the field, and is one of the team's longest-playing players.
Wu Xi continues to be the centerpiece of the midfield after Li Xiaopeng took charge of the national football team, having been pushed to the front position at one point. Wu Xi's absence is a huge challenge for the national football team. At the moment, there seems to be no clear replacement.
Li Xiaopeng is accustomed to a three-midfield configuration with a double back plus a single front, and Xu Xin may occupy a starting back position in Wu Xi's absence. Dai Weijun's performance is stable and is likely to continue to start. The other back position is yet to be decided.
Veteran Artemisia Junmin is experienced but not physically dominant. Stanley Wang did his best in the China-Japan battle, but was ineffective. In addition, the national soccer team has options such as Ji Zhongguo, Jin Jingdao, Gao Tianyi, Liao Lisheng and Yan Dinghao. However, Gao Tianyi, Liao Lisheng, Yan Dinghao and others lack of experience in big games, and it seems not wise to push them to the forefront at this time. Ji Zhongguo and Jin Jingdao both played in the first round against Saudi Arabia, and the replacement for Wu Xi may be between them.
Jin Jingdao made his debut against Yatai on the 9th, partnering with Liao Lisheng, while Ji Zhongguo, Artemis, Wu Xi and Xu Xin did not play. It seems that it will take some time before Wu Xi's replacement is revealed.
