Tan Long, the 36-year-old striker, had a disappointing performance in the just-concluded Asian Cup. As the successor of the center forward of the national football team, his performance on the field did not meet the expectations, lacking the key role of the front pivot. From the performance in the game, with the growth of age, Tan Long's condition shows a downward trend. As of early April this year, Tan Long has turned 36 years old. Given the upgrade needs of the national team, Coach Ivankovic may have reservations about Tan Long's performance.
Another player who may be discarded by the coach is former national soccer captain Wu Xi. Without realizing it, Wu Xi has already entered the age of 35. Undeniably, Wu Xi has been the centerpiece of the national team's midfield for the past decade, with outstanding performances in both offense and defense. However, as he gets older, his form has declined significantly. Especially at the tail end of the Asian Cup, Wu Xi failed to live up to expectations, failing to play the key role of connecting offense and defense. As a result, similar to Tan Long, Wu Xi may also be excluded from the national team list by new coach Ivankovic.
The third veteran who could leave the team comes from Beijing Guoan, 31-year-old Li Lei. Although he is younger than Wu Xi and Tan Long, his form is slipping as he ages. Furthermore, at left-back, with the rise of younger generation players Li Shuai and Liu Yang, Li Lei's role seems to be becoming less important. Therefore, Li Lei may also gradually fade out of the national team's lineup.
Despite the fact that these three players have contributed to the glory of the national team, as the new coach, Ivankovic will make cuts based on his judgment and will not be soft. We expect him to build a new national team with more fighting spirit.
