As the timeline progresses, the chances of our national team breaking into the 18-team tournament this year are almost down to zero, with existing players becoming their only reliance. Instead of pinning their hopes on Oscar, they should reconsider activating Baihoramu. Oscar's skills are not outstanding, and he is better at physical confrontation, making it difficult for him to bring a qualitative leap to the national team. Facing the financial pressure from Cangzhou Lions, they may have to sell the player or even let the player join another country. It is obviously unfair to make such a demand on Cangzhou Lions. Instead of hoping for naturalized players, the national team should make every effort to promote the replacement of old and new players.
The U19 team previously won the Invitational Tournament, and young players such as Liu Chengyu, Wang Yudong, and Mao Weijie are seen as future stars who have a chance to be selected for the national team training camp for Ivankovic's evaluation. Although these players are young and slightly inexperienced in the game, Xiang Yuwang of Chongqing Tongliang Dragons, a Central League One team, may be an ideal candidate. In the match with Shandong Taishan, he hit a solo goal and sent an assist, although for the Central League players, but the individual strength is not inferior to the national team players. Naturalized players can temporarily alleviate the plight, but they cannot fundamentally turn the situation around.
The fact that Ivankovic continues in his coaching role sends a signal that the CFA cannot afford to pay the liquidated damages and will have to let him stay on. Therefore, naturalized players cannot be expected to be dominated by the FA, but can only play a supporting role. The naturalization of the national team as a whole has not been successful in the past, with Ackerson currently in a slump and Alan suffering from injuries. Only Fernando and Jiang Guangtai are still reliable, and Oscar's fate with the national team seems to be over. The national team should look at these 10 matches in the upcoming 18-team tournament as an opportunity to renew and modernize the team, which has sacrificed its future for a World Cup berth in every world qualifying tournament, yet has always ended in failure.
