The plan is for the Chinese team to arrive in Sharjah on the evening of September 16th, just after the first internal teaching match, and then to start the journey of at least three international warm-up matches. In addition to playing Syria, there is also the possibility of battling several West Asian club teams. Rumors abound about the warm-up matches between China and Syria, claiming that the CFA might pay the Syrian team between $200,000 and $300,000 for the appearance. However, the Beiqing-Beijing headline reporter after some verification, found that the so-called "appearance fee" is purely false. In arranging warm-up matches, the CFA's primary consideration is how to meet the needs of the Chinese team's preparations, that is, according to the rhythm of the Chinese team's preparations for the 12th round of the tournament, the selection of suitable warm-up opponents.
Looking back at the first two rounds of the 12-team tournament earlier this month, the Chinese team lost to Australia and Japan in quick succession. Head coach Li Tie summarized the lessons of the defeat, but also said that the Chinese team is in urgent need of high-quality international warm-up opportunities, and submitted to the CFA during the training in Sharjah as much as possible to arrange the application of international warm-up.
It is reported that the work team of the CFA has started to look for warm-up opponents for the national football team even before the team returned to Sharjah. Up to now, they have communicated with several member associations or clubs.
Recently, the Syrian Football Association revealed that the Syrian team will play a warm-up match against China on September 30th. Rumor has it that the Chinese team will pay $200,000 to $300,000 in appearance fees for this. However, according to the Beiqing-Beijing headline reporter, there will be no appearance fee involved if the two sides finalize the warm-up match.
There are three reasons for this: firstly, the Top 12 has been in full swing, the Chinese team has a need for warm-ups, as does the Syrian team, and both sides are conducive to preparation; secondly, the CFA's primary consideration in selecting warm-up opponents is to satisfy the Chinese team's own competitive interests, and it will not blindly arrange for warm-ups simply because the opponents have an open slot; and thirdly, the warm-ups that the Chinese team has been taking part in lately have been teaching matches rather than FIFA A-level warm-ups, and therefore should not involve appearance fees. It is reported that the national football team's next few warm-up matches are expected to be arranged in the team's training location, Sharjah Club Stadium (secondary field).
As of September 17, the Chinese team has not yet finalized its full warm-up schedule, but it is certain that the team will participate in no less than three international warm-ups before facing Vietnam on October 7th. As for the exact cost, perhaps the Chinese team can provide free drinking water for the invited teams for the matches.
Beijing Youth Daily, bjyouth.ynet.com
