Choi Kang-hee took charge of Taishan's coach in May 2023, like a boulder falling from the top of a mountain, sending ripples through the soccer world. (Image source: official microblogging Shandong Taishan FC)
February 20, the second round of the 1/8 finals of the AFC Champions League, Shandong Taishan away to 4: 2 reversal of Kawasaki Striker, the total number of points reached 6 points, creating the team's best record in the AFC Champions League, like a breeze, for the trough of Chinese soccer and fans injected a strong heart. In the face of Yankovic's coaching difficulties and the high risk of national team coaching turnover, netizens have voiced their expectation to invite Cui Kangxi to take the helm of the national team with Taishan as the base.
Kawasaki Striker's second round matchup featured domestic players who performed like bright stars, with Li Yuan powering Lei San in front of the net to score, Gao Junyi adding a second on the counterattack, and Wang Dalei making a flying tackle to defuse a dangerous situation... Their brilliant performances won the applause of the fans. However, these players had few chances to play in the national team, so the fans called for the national team to use more of Taishan's outstanding players.
On March 26, the national football team will usher in the 36-team 2026 U.S.-Canada-Mexico World Cup qualifier at the Tianjin Olympic Sports Center, with the tournament looming large, but the big question of national team coaching turnover is still up in the air.
However, the possibility of Choi Kang-hee becoming the head coach of the national team is slim. Choi Kang-hee himself is not very interested in the national team coaching position. According to South Korean media reports, Choi Kang-hee may decline the invitation of the Chinese men's soccer team due to "health problems".
Cressan became the man responsible for Taishan's promotion, topping the scorer's list in the AFC Champions League with 8 goals and mesmerizing the Chinese fans. They are eager for the national team to take Cressan under their wing and wear the Chinese team's uniform.
According to FIFA regulations, Cressan needs to live in China for 5 years if he wants to play for the national soccer team. Cressan joined Taishan in April 2022, and with less than 2 years in the Chinese Super League, the earliest he can meet the conditions for naturalization is April 2027, when he will also be 30 years old.
