On the evening of September 12, the Chinese men's football team will face Syria, the second international warm-up match opponent of this training, at the professional stadium of Chengdu Phoenix Mountain Football Park. Since in the match played on the 9th, the Chinese team barely forced the Malaysian team with an international ranking of 56 positions below the team, which caused dissatisfaction among fans, so in addition to preparing for the World Preliminary Round of 36 through warm-up between China and Syria, the Chinese team needs to quickly cheer up and win back the hearts of fans with victory.
It is understood that during the Chinese and horse races, Lin Liangming and Li Shuai were injured separately, of which Li Shuai was confirmed to miss the 12th game due to serious injuries, which means that the Chinese team needs to make adjustments to the left wing regardless of whether the Chinese team changes formation in this game.
In the match on the 9th, the Chinese team was weak overall, and it was difficult to draw 1-1 with the Malaysian team. The team's weak performance also attracted dissatisfaction and boos from the fans at the scene, and the sound of "ticket refund" resounded throughout the arena. After the game, Chinese coach Jankovic also confessed that the team did not deserve to win with such a performance, and apologized for this.
If the Chinese team is more embarrassed against the Malaysian team, which pays attention to ball control at their feet and is not good at physical confrontation, then how can the Chinese team make fans have more expectations in the face of the Syrian team with strong body, speed and confrontation ability?
According to the data, the Chinese team has played the Syrian team 14 times since its first match with the Syrian team at the Beijing Workers' Stadium on July 23, 1966. The Chinese team has 8 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats, scoring 29 goals and conceding 13 goals. In terms of overall record, the Chinese team has a considerable advantage. However, of the eight matches that China has won against their opponents, there are 3 friendly matches and 1 The International match. China's most recent victory in a major tournament came on June 15, 2021, when China defeated Syria 3-1 in Deshajah, United Arab Emirates, thanks to goals from Zhang Xizhe, Zhang Yuning and Wu Lei, in the final round of the Asian Zone Round of 40 in Qatar. In the round of 12 of the World Preliminary Round of Russia, the Chinese team lost 0-1 at home and drew 2-2 away. It can be said that the Chinese team has generally been at a disadvantage in the competition with opponents in recent years.
In that match more than two years ago, two of Syria's best goalscorers, Soma and Helbin, were both absent. The team came to China this time and recruited a number of good players, including Soma, including Mavas, who had scored the goal of the Chinese team in the main and away matches of the Asian Zone of the World Preliminary Round of 12 in Russia. At present, the Chinese team ranks 80th in the world and 11th in the AFC; Syria is ranked 94th in the world and 14th in the AFC. This means that if China fails to win against Syria, its international ranking points will be further reduced, and the ranking is likely to fall out of the world's top 80. In fact, the national football team has already been ironclad in points after drawing with Malaysia, which is ranked below 56 places in the team. Top-up points require a victory over Syria.
As the results of the Round of 36 group draw have already been produced, the recent changes in the international rankings will not affect the competitive situation of the team in the Round of 36 for the time being. But without consecutive wins against teams ranked below their own, the confidence of the Chinese team will be seriously undermined.
It is obviously unrealistic to expect the Chinese team to perfect the technical and tactical arrangements with only two outdoor training sessions in three days. Coach Jankovic's priority may be to "awaken" the players as soon as possible and restore their desire for victory. For the match with the Syrian team on the 12th, the Chinese team also faced certain difficulties in lining up the formation. For example, in the last round, the main left-back Li Shuai was seriously injured due to the scramble and faced the removal of seven teeth, and he was about to return to Shanghai for surgery, and he was confirmed that he would not be able to participate in this match.
In addition, as the best player of the national football team in the last game, Lin Liangming, who scored the equaliser, was also replaced in the second half due to a knee injury. In this case, Jankovic may not be able to risk continuing to arrange for him to start. Xie Pengfei, who replaced Lin Liangming in the last game, was more active, and he and Barton, who returned from the current period, can be put on in the 12th game. As for Li Shuai's left-back position, Jankovic can choose Li Lei, the main player of the last game against Palestine, or port veteran Wang Shenchao. As for candidates for other positions, there is not much room for adjustment due to factors such as the number of training camps and the individual ability of players.
In the Chinese and Ma competitions, Jankovic once dominated the 343 attacking formation, but due to the loose position of the three line personnel between each other, he was repeatedly easily torn through the defensive line by his opponents to counterattack. Therefore, in the face of the direct and tough Syrian team, Jankovic does not rule out re-playing the 4-back tactic, even if the 3-centre-back formation is followed, it is possible to pull the two wingbacks back first and base themselves on defense.
Expected starting lineup for China:
Goalkeeper: Yan Junling
Defenders: Li Lei, Gao Junyi, Jiang Guangtai, Zhang Linpeng
Midfielders: Xie Pengfei, Li Ke, Wu Xi, Deng Hanwen
Forwards: Axon, Wu Lei
Text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Xiao Zhao
Editor/Wang Haozhou