Despite failing to qualify for the quarterfinals, the Chinese men's soccer team's overall performance was still commendable. After all, they broke a 20-year curse and did not stop in the 1/8 finals. However, while celebrating the progress, we also need to look at our own shortcomings. Especially against South Korea, there were obvious gaps in our understanding of the game, our passing skills and our ability to capitalize on good opportunities. However, facing up to our shortcomings is also a valuable gain in the process of participating in the tournament. After Coach Djurdjevic took over, the team performed reasonably well, at least up to the passing line. However, the team's command of the game, especially the deployment of personnel in the midfield and backfield, is still insufficient and lacks the ability to adapt to the situation.
Off the field, the Asian Games men's soccer team has another important responsibility - to provide fresh blood for the national team. The performance at the Asian Games attracted the attention of the national team. As soon as the tournament was over, the national team quickly released a new selection list, which included many international players from the Asian Games. This list includes 26 players, including Tan Long, Liu Yang, Gao Tianyi, Dai Weijun, Zhu Chenjie, Fang Hao, Jiang Shenglong, Ye Lijiang, He Yupeng and other 9 international players.
Of this group of players, Tan Long, Gao Tianyi and Liu Yang are already international players and have been suspended from the national football team as they prepare for the Asian Games. The remaining six players are all young U24 players. Dai Weijun and Zhu Chenjie have been selected for the national team and are returning. Fang Hao, Jiang Shenglong, He Yupeng and Ye Lijiang are the four who join the national team for the first time, which is not only a recognition of their club performance, but also of their Asian Games results. Unsurprisingly, the value of these four newcomers will also see a significant increase with the national team call-up.
In addition to the four mentioned above, 25-year-old Xie Weijun, who is making his debut for Jinmen Tigers, is young but has a wealth of experience in the Chinese Super League. He has made 26 appearances on behalf of the Jinmen Tigers this season, including seven starts, contributing six goals and one assist, compared to his outstanding performance of nine goals and two assists last season. With a height of 1.9 meters, he not only fills the gap of the national team's lack of a center forward, but is also expected to bring a new tactical approach to the team.
All five of these newly promoted national players are under the age of 25. Previously, the Chinese national soccer team has been relying on the play of Zhang Yuning, but he is currently in recovery and has failed to be selected for the national team again. It is believed that he is expected to regain his form before the Asian Cup and play for his country again.
