On November 17th, the sharp-witted journalist Chen Hua, when analyzing the 2-1 victory of the national football team over Thailand in the first round of the 36-team qualifying tournament, profoundly pointed out the deeper significance behind the victory - the initial results of the strategy of replacing the old with the new.
Chen Hua penned this elaboration:
In addition to the opening of the 36-team World Cup, the national soccer team's debut was more positive, marking the start of a strategy of replacing the old with the new.
First of all, the young backline was challenged. The center back partnership of Zhu Chenjie and Jiang Shenglong was put to the test, thanks to the trust of Lippi and Li Tie, and the persistence of the Shenhua coaching staff, who gave the young center back pairing a chance to start rather than relying on foreign defenders.
Secondly, the Genbao base may continue to be the "cradle of talent" for the national team. In the last World Cup cycle, Genbao sent five international players to the base: Wu Lei, Yan Junling, Zhang Linlian, Wang Shenchao and Zhu Chenjie. The new cycle is Wu Lei, Yan Junling, Zhang Linlian, Zhu Chenjie and Jiang Shenglong. The Hong Kong internationals are veterans, but Shenhua's two defenders have begun to take over the baton. Xu Genbao had explicitly asked Wu Lei: "In the national team, you should bring more Zhu Chenjie and Jiang Shenglong." This is also the inheritance among the international players in Genbao base.
Thirdly, I think the three candidates for the goalkeeper position are too close in age and there is an urgent need to bring in young players to gain experience and lay out the groundwork for the future. Lippi and Li Tie then dared to start 20-year-old Zhu Chenjie and let him pay his tuition fees. Insiders point out that at least three to four national soccer defenders conceded goals in the last cycle due to inexperience. Therefore, they are more willing to create opportunities for young people to exercise.
Fourthly, unlike clubs, the national soccer team should not have too much regionalism, but clubs have the obligation to channel local talents to the national team. This year, Port and Shenhua don't have strong foreigners, which gives local players more opportunities to exercise and improve. Wu Lei is the best local scorer, while Jiang Shenglong and Zhu Chenjie are the golden pair of young center backs in the Chinese Super League.
From this perspective, if the CFA future adjustment of foreign aid policy, but also need to make more scientific decisions - professional clubs belong to the market, the national team is another level, but in the Chinese characteristics of the system, the national team is often seen as a symbol of the success or failure of soccer. In this premise, many aspects can not copy the European and American soccer model, can only self-adjustment, seeking the best balance.
