Li Xiaopeng: There was a problem with the game design, and the players played too nervously

Hanoi, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- In the eighth round of the World Cup Asian Qualifier Round of 12 on February 1, the Chinese men's soccer team lost 1:3 to Vietnam. At the post-match press conference, Li Xiaopeng, head coach of the Chinese team, said that the loss was due to a problem with the design of the game and the players played too nervously.

"There was a problem in the game, first of all to apologize to all the fans, I also have to apologize to the players. The first thing that failed was a problem with the design of the game, which was difficult for me personally to accept, and the players still played very hard. The second is the excessive motivation before the game, the players are too eager to win the game, resulting in the players are very nervous to play. Li Xiaopeng said.

'In the game design, our two backs and the centre-back were too close to each other when attacking and too far apart in defence, which was the main reason for the problem. Li Xiaopeng said.

In the game, Li Xiaopeng chose two naturalized strikers, Alain and Luo Guofu, to start, and replaced them at half-time. 'The naturalized players' desire to fight and their form are very good, but not playing for a long time has an impact on their state, and the two naturalized players tried their best, although they did not score, but their performance was commendable." Li Xiaopeng said.

After this game, the Chinese team won 1, drew 2 and lost 5 points, and it has missed the 2022 Qatar World Cup in advance.