China's performance in the just-concluded group stage of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico World Cup qualifying tournament was up and down. Their record of one win and one loss gave both hope and pressure. While defeating Thailand 2-1 on the road, they lost 0-3 to South Korea at home, while Thailand beat Singapore 3-1 on the road. This leaves China currently third in the group on goal difference.
The next two matches are crucial for the national soccer team. Especially in the third round away to Singapore, if they want to regain the chance to get out of the group, the national football team must go all out and try to win and score more goals.
Looking back at the first two matches of the group stage of the World Qualification Tournament, all the players of the national football team have put in great efforts, but the problems at the attacking end are still obvious. Yankovic's 343 formation for the national football team, the center forward position is particularly important.
Zhang Yuning has returned from injury and Guo Tianyu's career appears to be nearing its end, leaving the national soccer team with a huge challenge at center forward. Ackerson is no longer able to play as the team's main striker after his naturalization.
As a result, Jankovic chose 35-year-old Tan Long as his main striker. Despite Tan Long's impressive performance in the Asian Games, he did not perform as well in the world qualifiers.
To make a difference, Jankovic plans to make tactical changes to his team before the Asian Cup, replacing Tan Long and strengthening the forward line. Zhang Yuning is expected to be the starting center forward, while Wu Lei and Wei Shihao will continue to play on the wing.
Next January, the national soccer team will participate in the 2024 Asian Cup in Qatar, facing tough opponents such as Tajikistan, Lebanon and host Qatar. If they fail to gain enough points in the first two rounds of the group stage, the national soccer team's chances of advancing to the knockout stage will be very slim.
Jankovic's coaching position could be in jeopardy if the national soccer team does not perform well in the Asian Cup. The new FA president Song Kai is interested in hiring a German coach to coach the national team.
Even so, the national soccer team will need to remain vigilant when they face Singapore on the road in the World Qualifier. The Singaporean team is limited, but their performance has been disappointing. In order to achieve victory, the national football team must go all out and not have any mentality of taking the game lightly.
At that time, CCTV sports channel CCTV5 will be live broadcast of the game, let us look forward to the national football team on the road can beat the Singapore team to create a new glory.
