In the U23 Asian Cup and Olympic qualifiers, the Chinese Olympic team lost 0-1 in the match against Japan.
Despite dominance on the field, especially after the opposing player Takaya Nishio was sent off in the 18th minute for a deliberate elbow, the Chinese team played the game with an 11-10 numerical advantage. Even with the superiority in numbers, the Chinese Olympic attack showed obvious mediocrity and lacked the ability to score effectively.
The only goal of the game came in the 7th minute, when Japan's Kusao Matsuki scored with an unguarded cushion shot. Despite having 61 per cent possession and more shots on goal than Japan in the first half, the team failed to convert it into a goal.
In the second half of the game, the national Olympic team made personnel adjustments and strengthened the attack, but the shots at key moments still lacked threat, such as Xie Wenneng could hit the ball into the arms of the goalkeeper in a one-on-one opportunity, and the powerful shot in the final stage of the game did not pose a substantial threat.
The main problems of the Chinese Olympic team were the lack of creativity in the attacking rhythm, and the failure of regular crosses and corners to break through the Japanese defence. Despite possession of 62 per cent, China's passing was often incoherent and penetrating, and the lack of tempo and effective movement on the pitch made the offensive action appear sluggish and predictable.
It is worth mentioning that in the final stage of the game, the Chinese Olympic team made a surprise move, allowing the 2-meter-tall goalkeeper Jin Yong to play a cameo as a striker, trying to change the situation of the game through air superiority, but this strategy failed to succeed. The decision underscores the desperation and helplessness of the Olympic team in the conventional offensive and reflects the team's lack of personnel and tactics up front.
In the face of the upcoming match against the South Korean team, the Chinese Olympic team is under great pressure. If they fail to win the next matches, the national Olympic team will almost certainly miss out on qualifying for the last eight, and at the same time, they will bid farewell to the dream of Olympic football. This defeat to Japan is not only a defeat in one game, but also a severe test of the strategy and psychological adjustment of the national Olympic team in future competitions.
In the group stage of the U23 Asian Cup and Olympic Qualifiers, the Chinese Olympic Games are facing serious challenges. In the first match, although they dominated the field, they eventually lost 0-1 to the more skilled Japanese Olympic team.
This game not only exposed the shortcomings of the Chinese team on the offensive end, but also highlighted the ability to transform opportunities at critical moments needs to be improved. In the face of the upcoming match against South Korea, the pressure of the Chinese Olympic Games is huge, and losing will mean an early exit.
Although the performance of the Chinese Olympic team was superior to their opponents in possession and shots on goal, they were unable to create a real threat and complete the scoring process. The team's lack of diversity and innovation in attack directly led to their difficulty in breaking the deadlock against heavily defended opponents. In addition, the team's passing and movement showed a lack of consistency, which made their offensive often exhaust in front of the opposing defence.
From a tactical point of view, the Chinese Olympic Games need to make fundamental improvements in offensive strategy. First, teams need to strengthen the midfield-to-midfield connection and tear apart opposition defences with more fluid and creative passing. Secondly, the team's forwards and wingers should be more active in finding and creating shots on goal, rather than relying on traditional long balls and corners.
In terms of staffing, the Olympic team may need to rethink the selection strategy of its forward line and bring in more attackers who can take advantage of opportunities in key moments. In addition, the training and selection mechanisms of the youth system should be strengthened to ensure a sustainable supply of talent in the future, especially in terms of technology and creativity.
From the perspective of psychological preparation, the Chinese Olympic Games need to be more resilient in the face of pressure and adversity. This includes not only the ability to cope with pressure on the field, but also the mental adjustment before the game and the emotional management during the game.
The team's mental team should provide more support to the players to help them stay calm and focused during the game. The main task of the Chinese Olympic Games is to regain self-confidence in the next games, adjust tactics, and fulfill the tactical requirements of coaches on the field.
The team's long-term development plan should include strengthening the links between the domestic league and the national Olympic team, and improving the competitive level and professional attitude of the country's young players. Through these measures, the Chinese Olympic Games can not only improve performance in the short term, but also lay the foundation for the long-term development of Chinese football.