On a starry Tuesday night, the Weinan Sports Center welcomed a soccer feast - the official opening of the 2024 Silk Road Huashan Cup Weinan International Football Invitational Tournament. China's U-19 national soccer team will welcome Vietnam's U-17 national team to the center, and this match is just the prelude. The tournament has a great lineup, and in addition to the Chinese and Vietnamese teams, the South Korean U-19 and Uzbekistan U-19 national teams have been added to the lineup, making the overall level of the tournament jump up.
Standing in the press box before the match, China's head coach Djurdjevic was overwhelmed with emotion: "In this fertile ground, we are grateful for every bit of support, whether it's from the CFA, or clubs at all levels of the league, and especially those who put their players on the starting roster. The dedication of the players means a lot to the club. However, for the growth of the U-19 national team, they resolutely embarked on the journey. This Huashan Cup is not only a practical test, but also an opportunity to make wise decisions for the future."
As the former head coach of the Asian Games men's soccer team, Djurdjevic has a deep understanding of the two teams: "Compared to the Asian Games, we have a very different team. The players were experienced then, while the current team is full of fresh blood. The players come from different backgrounds, from the Fourth Division to the Super League. The Huashan Cup is a valuable opportunity to work out against strong opponents. We have the opportunity to scrutinize every player and select the elite for the U-20 Asia Cup."
"The players have just taken a break from other matches, arriving last night and this morning, and they don't yet have an understanding with each other. They can only run to find a tacit understanding and after three matches, we will have a clear picture of the team's position in Asia. This Huashan Cup will be the catalyst for us to raise our level."
