According to the March 3 Beijing Times, the soccer world's hotspot focuses on the dynamics of the U23 national football team's preparations for the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Soccer Daily delves into the situation, comparing the event to a crucial midterm exam, with three overage elites expected to join the squad.
The Hangzhou Asian Games is seen as a midterm exam, and the Asian Cup, which our country hosts next year, is a big one. Despite the general attention of fans to the Asian Games soccer tournament, the tournament's attention has never been higher, given the national football team's dismal exit in the 12-team tournament and the women's soccer team's brilliant victory in the Asian Cup. the performance of the U23 national football team is not only the attention of fans, but also the women's soccer team's performance is also in the limelight. If the U23 national football team does not perform well, the public opinion effect will undoubtedly be magnified. Therefore, the U23 national team's journey to the Asian Games is particularly critical.
Soccer Daily reported in detail the preparation plan of the U23 national football team, choosing the Dubai Cup in the United Arab Emirates as the training site, aiming to improve the team's international competitiveness and prepare for the Asian Games. Meanwhile, the U23 national team traveled to Dubai with the national team to save money. In this training, some of the main players were absent due to the preparation for the Top 12 tournament, including goalkeeper Han Jiaqi, defenders Zhu Chenjie, Jiang Shenglong, Wu Shaochong and midfielder Dai Weijun. It is worth mentioning that Guo Tianyu was not selected for the national team and the national Olympic team, but his return to the U23 national team lineup is not in doubt.
The Asian Games soccer tournament regulates the U23 age group, yet allows 3 overage players to compete. Soccer Daily predicts that the U23 national team will call up 3 overage players and that the suspension of the league will depend on the situation. Even so, the impact on clubs will be limited and it is likely that the U23 national team will not draw three players from a single club. The article further analyzes that at least two overage players will be needed to play at the back in the midfield, with another player available as a striker if Jankovic trusts the defense. (Source: DD)
