National Olympic VS Japan Preview: Asian Cup First Game Draw + Goal!

At 21 o'clock on April 16, Beijing time, the Chinese Olympic team will officially start the U23 Asian Cup journey, and their first game will be at Hamad Stadium against the strong rival Japanese Olympic team. The Chinese Olympic team must work hard to be undefeated in this campaign, at least to get 1 point in a draw, in order to have a chance to qualify, of course, even if the first game is lost, the national Olympic team will also strive to break through the Japanese goal and improve morale.

【Overview of the National Olympic Games】

In the previous warm-up matches, China won 3-3 in 6 games, lost 2 times to Saudi Arabia and 1 to Uzbekistan, but also won such exciting victories as defeating Jordan and Qatar. In 6 games, the Olympic team scored 5 goals and conceded 6 goals, of which 4 of the 5 goals were penalties.

In 6 games, Cheng Yaodong used different technical and tactical plays, which had a certain effect, but the lack of sports goals was an obvious shortcoming of the National Olympic Games.

【Outbound Analysis】

The Chinese Olympic team is in a group with Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates in this event, and only the top 2 in the group will have a chance to qualify, and only the top 3 in this Asian Cup can get a direct ticket to the men's football team in the Paris Olympics.

On paper, China's Olympic Games are weaker than Japan and South Korea, and they have no advantage with the United Arab Emirates.

【Initial Prediction】

Since the strength of the three opponents is stronger than that of the National Olympic Games, Cheng Yaodong's style of play in the group stage of this Asian Cup will be very pragmatic. The main thing is to "put the bus", give up ball control, shrink defense, and grasp the opportunity to defend against the counter.

China Olympic Games expected to start (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Huang Zihao

Defenders: Xu Bin, Ruan Qilong, Liang Shaowen, Yang Zihao

Rear waist: Duan Dezhi, Mutalifu

Avant-garde: Liu Zhurun, Tao Qianglong, Xie Wenneng (Eiffelding)

Forward: Bai Helamu (Du Yuezheng)

In this Asian Cup, the Japanese Olympic list is full of famous players, 5 of the 23-man list are in the United States, and there may be 4 players who play in the European League in the start. Among them are two midfielders who have established themselves in the league. In addition, new stars such as Matsuki Jiusheng who play in their home league are also quite powerful.

Japan expected to start (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Reio Kokubo (Benfica Team B)

Defenders: Ayumu Ohata (Urawa Red Diamonds), Seiji Kimura (Tosu Sandstone), Takaya Nishio (Osaka Sakura), Ryu Handa (Gamba Osaka)

Midfielders: Kuo Matsuki (FC Tokyo), Fujita Jean Rukima (Sint-Truiden), Rihito Yamamoto (Sint-Truiden)

Forwards: Megumi Sato (Werder Bremen II), Shota Fujio (Machida Zevia), Kaede Yamada (Tokyo Green)

[Pre-match sound]

Tsuyoshi Oiwa (Japan coach): The match against China will be the most important group stage and we are 100 per cent ready. Although the goal of both sides is the same, they can get three points first so that they can play well in the next round.

Cheng Yaodong (China Coach): The overall level of the Japanese team is better than ours, whether it is technical or tactical, we are making targeted preparations according to their situation, and I hope we can play a good game. This group is very strong, we have both difficulties and hopes, and of course the difficulties are even greater.

【Featured Players】

Fujita Jean Rukima (Japan)

Born in 2002, he is a right-footed midfielder and a Japanese-Nigerian mixed-race naturalized player. In July 2023, Fujita left the J-League to land in Europe, and currently plays for the league powerhouse Sint-Truiden. He has already played 2 A-level matches for the Japanese men's national football team and is very favored by Moriyasu Kazu. In the case that Hisashi and other midfielders who stayed abroad were unable to return to the team, the prospects of the Japanese team in this Asian Cup largely depend on this "broad-minded" midfielder.

Tao Qianglong (China)

Tao Qianglong, who was once selected by The Guardian as one of the world's top 60 talented players, can be said to have become famous at a young age. At the age of 16, he was selected for the U19 national youth team, at the age of 17 he was selected for the senior national football training list, and at the age of 18, he was selected for the national Olympic team (U23) and scored in his debut season in the Chinese Super League. Although the growth of this "Xiao Wu Lei" has not been as expected in recent years, as the captain of the National Olympic Games, he is still the most trustworthy offensive core of the team.

【Editor's Prediction】

Judging from the lack of skills in the warm-up game, there is a high probability that the first game of the National Olympic Games will lose against Japan, but I still hope that the young men of the National Olympic Games can strive to score a goal, and if they lose a small loss of 1-2, it is also an acceptable result.