In the history of Chinese football, preparing for the Asian Cup is a high-profile task, and this year's competition is particularly important for the Chinese men's football team. The Chinese Football Association selected five candidates for captain early, they are Wu Xi, Zhang Linpeng, Wu Lei, Jiang Guangtai and Yan Junling. However, it was Wu Xi who attracted the most attention, as he was given the responsibility of captain of the first game. This decision means more than just a game, but a responsibility as a leader, and Wu Xi will play a pivotal role in this season's challenges.
Wu Xi's captaincy is not accidental, but is based on years of tenacity and hard work. As the leader of the Shenhua team, he showed excellent performances in club competitions, and this experience earned him a candidacy for captaincy. However, that doesn't mean his responsibility is simply to lead his team-mates onto the field, but more importantly to stay calm under pressure and provide stability and confidence to the team.
The road to preparing for the Asian Cup is full of challenges and pressures, and the Chinese men's football team is also facing huge difficulties internally. According to reporter Ma Dexing, the atmosphere inside the team is very depressing, which is the same as before the first game of the round of 36. The international players generally lack self-confidence, and their movements are easy to deform under pressure, forming a vicious circle. This situation undoubtedly complicates preparation, but it also tests the team's unity and resilience.
The successive losses to Oman and Hong Kong, China in the warm-up matches triggered strong dissatisfaction in domestic public opinion, and this emotion undoubtedly brought huge psychological pressure to the international players. The results of these games have exposed some problems, but they are also a valuable opportunity for the team to identify and improve on their own shortcomings.
Asian Cup group stage opponents Tajikistan, Lebanon and Qatar should not be underestimated. The importance of the first battle is self-evident, and victory or defeat is here. In the warm-up matches, Tajikistan beat Hong Kong 2-1 and Lebanon beat Jordan 2-1, but they lost 1-0 to the mighty Saudi Arabia on 4 January.
The national football team failed to defeat Hong Kong in the warm-up match, while Tajikistan was able to win, which shows that the competitive state and strength of the national football team and the opponent are almost the same. Although the national football team is higher than Tajikistan in the world ranking, the ranking does not fully reflect the actual strength of the team. Therefore, every game will be a battle of life and death, and the national football team needs to stay calm and focused, without the slightest carelessness.
The opening game against Tajikistan will be no small challenge. Tajikistan have been excellent in their previous matches, showing good quality and form. On the other hand, the national football team failed to defeat Hong Kong in the previous warm-up match, which exposed the team's offensive and defensive problems. This also reminds the national football team that in the group stage of the Asian Cup, every game will be a battle of life and death, and they must go all out to advance to the knockout stage.
In addition to Tajikistan and Lebanon, Qatar is also an opponent that the national football team needs to be wary of in the group stage. Although Qatar are relatively low in the world rankings, they have shown great strength and potential in their previous matches. If the national football team is a little slack in the game, it is possible that the opponent will seize the opportunity and lead to a loss.
In the opening match against Tajikistan, Coach Jankovic admitted: "All the coaches think that the game needs to be played one game at a time. My current thinking is to go all out to prepare for Tajikistan, do my best to win this game and then finish the group stage steadily. After qualifying from the group, each match will be considered as a final. This is a phrase that expresses the determination of the coaching staff and is passed on to the players.
As the game is approaching, the starting lineup of the national football team has attracted much attention. However, considering the previous World Cup matches against Thailand and South Korea, there should not be too many surprises in the starting lineup. The players will go all out on the pitch and will do their best for the sake of national honour and their own dignity, defying pressure and overcoming all difficulties.
In the football world, winning and losing are the norm, but the road of the Chinese men's football team to prepare for the Asian Cup is full of unknowns. Whether it is the leadership of captain Wu Xi, or the challenges and pressures within the team, they will be tested in the game. The opponents in the group stage of the Asian Cup are strong, but this is also an opportunity for the national football team to show its strength. The team's determination to prepare for the game was remarkable, but the final result was still controversial.
Preparing for the Asian Cup, the Chinese men's football team is under huge internal and external pressure. The pressure from the outside is mainly due to the high expectations of the media and fans. Chinese football has been trying to improve its level, but there is still a gap compared to the top international teams. As a result, expectations within and outside the team are often misaligned, which puts extra pressure on the players.
Mental toughness isn't just about being able to face defeat, it's also about staying humble and focused after a victory. Success often comes with greater expectations, and teams need to learn to find a balance between success and failure, not to be arrogant, not to let their guard down. This requires mental education and team building within the squad to ensure that every player has a resilient mentality.
To prepare for the Asian Cup, it is crucial to improve tactics and techniques. Football is a team sport, and the execution of tactics and the play of technique determine the outcome of the game. Therefore, the team needs to improve in these areas to ensure that they are competitive in the competition.
Tactically, the coaching team needs to plan carefully to ensure that there are clear tactical objectives and execution plans for each game. Players need to be familiar with and master these tactics in order to react and execute quickly during the game. In terms of technique, players need to constantly train and improve, including passing, shooting, defending and other aspects of their skills. Only if the team reaches a certain level of tactics and technique can the team achieve something in the Asian Cup.
In the process of preparing for the Asian Cup, the role of leaders is crucial. As the captain, Wu Xi has the responsibility of leading the team, and his leadership will play an important role in the game. In addition to his performance on the pitch, he also needs to play a role in team building and psychological support off the pitch to help the team maintain a positive mindset.
The role of a leader is not only to boost morale in times of difficulty and to remain humble in times of victory, but also to demonstrate and lead during preparations. As the captain, Wu Xi should set an example, inspire his teammates with his actions and spirit, and help the team overcome various challenges.
Regardless of the final outcome, the process itself is an unforgettable journey. The Chinese men's football team will continue to fight for national honor, and whether they succeed or not, they deserve respect. In preparation for the Asian Cup, the Chinese men's football team will continue to move forward and challenge the unknown future. That's the beauty of football, full of passion and uncertainty, so let's wait and see what they do.