Under the strict scrutiny of tournament organizers and co-organizers FIFA and AFC, a competition is far from easy to organize. Recently, the Chinese national team, under the shadow of the epidemic, not only need to deal with the complex FIFA, AFC certification process, but also through the relevant departments of the visit approval. As a result, the national football association has been busy with preparations, including chartered aircraft rental and other preparations before the westward journey. Until November 1, 10 days before the match stipulated by the AFC rules, the national football team's venue arrangements were finally officially recognized.
Just last weekend, the Iraqi Football Federation announced in a high-profile announcement that FIFA and the AFC had agreed to fan admission, even though the Iraqi team still needs to host its two November Top 12 home matches in Doha, Qatar. However, the answer to the question of whether spectators will be able to enter China's two matches this month was a surprising one.
It has been reported that according to AFC's competition rules, general admission is not permitted for any World Qualification Asia matches held in third-party member associations. Unlike Australia in Group B, China's home venues have been provisionally arranged in Doha and Sharjah, while Iraq have had to host their home venues in Doha on a permanent basis due to a FIFA ban, a decision that was finalized well before the start of the 12-team tournament.
As a result, the Chinese team will still not be able to feel the home atmosphere in the game this month, which is undoubtedly a big loss for the team. However, the team has already competed in West Asia many times, and has learned and adapted to the local environment and climate conditions. Although this western expedition is only two weeks long, after the match against Australia on November 16, the whole team will quickly return home to the Suzhou tournament site, where they will be quarantined in accordance with the epidemic prevention regulations, while preparing for the next match.
In fact, on the eve of the game, the national football team has been informed through various channels that the team may return to West Asia to participate in the news of the two games this month. Therefore, for the final "official announcement", the whole team has long been prepared.
With only one win in the first four rounds of matches, the Chinese team struggled to compete in the Round of 12. Upon returning home on Oct. 14, head coach Li Tie was even met with calls for his dismissal. But after recent domestic adjustments, the team has been rejuvenated and ready to take on the challenge.
From the point of view of the situation, if the Chinese team can not achieve the desired points this month, then in the competition of the 12 strong match may completely fall out of the team, or even early exit from the World Cup ticket competition. The organizers of the National Football Association are also well aware of the seriousness of the situation. It is understood that the association's chairman, Chen Xuyuan, will continue to lead the team on the trip, and he and all members of the delegation, including the whole team's coaches and players, have not given up their confidence in the fight for victory. Some of the players said privately that if they get at least four points in the two matches this month, then the Chinese team still holds the initiative to impact the current World Cup. Despite the difficulties in realizing this goal, we hope that all these efforts will not be in vain after unremitting efforts.
