Xinhua News Agency, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, November 12 (Reporters Xiao Shiyao and Su Xiaopo) From the lead to the equalization of omani teams, the Chinese men's football team has lost a good game in Sharjah. This weak 1:1 draw makes the Chinese team have little hope of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
At present, the Chinese team ranks fifth in the group with 4 points, and the qualifying may be minimal. After the game, when the players of the Chinese team went to the audience to thank the scene, some fans shouted "must not give up", the scene was both moving and sad.
Chinese player Wu Lei (second from right) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the match on November 11. Xinhua News Agency
This would have been a game to be won. Through four games of experimentation, China coach Li Tie finally found the most suitable starting lineup. Naturalized strikers Alain and Luo Guofu revitalized the attack in the front, and Xu Xin's appearance enhanced the defensive hardness of the midfield. For most of the game, the Chinese team suppressed the opponent.
The players are not without effort. The reporter went out with the team for three months, and it can be clearly felt that the physical and mental state of the players has improved recently, and when they arrive on the field, they are even more deadly in the three armed forces, and every ball must be fought. Luo Guofu was repeatedly violated and stood up, Zhang Yuning spelled until his lips turned white, and Yan Junling flew to his knees after saving, these pictures are difficult to calm.
On November 11, Chinese player Zhang Yuning (bottom) fell to the ground injured during the match. Xinhua News Agency
Unfortunately, the unsatisfactory result is made up of details. If the striker's ability to take advantage of the opportunity is better, maybe we will have killed the game a long time ago; if Li Tie's substitution had been more deliberate, maybe we could have maintained the winning momentum; if the corner defense had focused a little more... But there are no ifs on the football field.
Objectively speaking, the Chinese team has lost its valuable home advantage, and it is indeed not easy for players to train for a long time abroad. But competitive sports are heavy on results, especially national team matches. The difficulties you experience tend to help you receive praise after success, while it is difficult to help you gain understanding when you fail. If you want to wear the crown and bear its weight, the coaches and players of the Chinese team will not fail to understand.
Now Li Tie and his team members have to face not only the strong opponent Australia in four days, but also the psychological pressure that has nowhere to be discharged in the center of the whirlpool of public opinion. The only thing the Chinese team can do is to unite and look forward, for the sake of those lovely fans who have not given up, but also for themselves, to seek a glimmer of life.
China coach Li Tie (right) conducts on the sidelines on November 11. Xinhua News Agency
The reality, far more brutal than the game itself, is that, as Li Tie said: "We are close to Oman and 1:1 is a normal result." "Whether you accept it or not, the national football team now does not have the ability to beat Oman as easily as it did 20 years ago. Judging from the entire Round of 12, we have been left far behind by the top Teams in Asia. The existing point rankings, in a sense, are a true reflection of the level of Chinese football in recent years. Neither the world's famous coach nor the naturalized players will make a difference in nature.
Now the average age of this national football team is close to thirty years old, and where are our young players? In 2016 and 2018, the Chinese men's national youth team failed to qualify from the group for two consecutive Asian Youth Championships, and even failed to enter the main competition of the 2020 Asian Youth Championship.
On November 11, the starting players of the Chinese team took a group photo before the game. Xinhua News Agency
Therefore, if we want to pay off the historical arrears, Chinese football must be prepared to sit on the cold bench, adhere to the "starting from the doll", "long-term achievements" to solidly promote the reform and development of football.
Source: Xinhua News Agency