With the clock striking 12 noon, Guangzhou Warriors and Shandong Taishan elites have stepped onto the threshold of the national team. By 6 p.m. tomorrow night, players from Shanghai Harbor, Beijing Guoan, Shanghai Shenhua, Hebei Warriors, Tianjin Jinmen Tigers and Wuhan Lions will also arrive in Shanghai to kick off their preparations for the 12-team tournament. As of this writing, there has been no news of any international players missing training due to injury in the eighth round of the Chinese Super League bye rounds.
The training squad includes 24 coaches, administrators and staff, in addition to 31 international players. About 20 overseas members are expected to join them, covering a wide range of professionals in areas such as epidemic prevention, catering and media. The size of the entire Chinese national soccer team delegation is expected to be around 75 people, similar to the number of people who traveled to the UAE in the second half of the Top 40 tournament. It is reported that Chen Xuyuan, president of the CFA, will personally lead the team on the trip, directing and scheduling to create the best conditions for the team.
In the face of the Australian Football Association's request for an air-conditioned stadium, the CFA insisted on the venue arrangement for the first round and requested that the second round be held at the "home" venue. Both associations have established close communication with the Qatar Football Association, and the CFA is aware of the progress. At present, it seems that the Qatari side tends to meet the Australian and Chinese teams in the same stadium in Doha for the "home" tournament request, the Chinese team is expected to face Japan in the same green field in Doha, the opening of the second round of the 12 round of the competition.
