For the Chinese men's national football team, the current period is undoubtedly full of opportunities and challenges. In the upcoming two key battles, if the national football team can successfully defeat Thailand and South Korea, it can not only surpass Bahrain in the Asian ranking and move up to Pot 4, but also lay a more favorable foundation for the future round of 18 matches. This is undoubtedly a rare opportunity, and the national football team must go all out and do its best to fight for it.
The choice faced by the national football team this time is far more than just winning these two games. From a larger perspective, this is related to the future status and development of the Chinese men's football team on the Asian stage, and even affects the strategic deployment of the national football team to impact the World Cup. A more favourable seeding will allow the national team to secure a more favourable opponent in the round of 18 draw, greatly increasing the likelihood of advancing to the next round. On the contrary, if the national football team cannot hand in a satisfactory answer in the upcoming battle of life and death, it will inevitably face more difficult draw results and future schedules, and even if there is a breakthrough, it is difficult to say that it can achieve greater achievements on the world stage.
We must attach great importance to this critical moment and fully recognize the opportunities and challenges faced by the national football team under the current situation. Only by making full preparations in all aspects can we ensure that the national football team achieves the desired results in these two battles, thus paving the way for the subsequent journey. Let's take a look at the current situation analysis and response strategies of the national football team.
[Opportunities and challenges coexist]
Judging from the current situation, the national football team is indeed facing an important turning point. In the latest FIFA rankings, the Chinese team is ranked 13th in Asia and is expected to be listed as the fifth pot to participate in the draw for the round of 18 in the Asian zone. This is undoubtedly a major unfavorable factor for the future development of the national football team.
The seeding position in Pot 5 means that in the group draw for the round of 18, the national football team is likely to face top Asian teams such as Japan, Iran or South Korea from Pot 1, as well as strong opponents such as Jordan and Oman in Pot 4. Such an opponent lineup will undoubtedly greatly increase the difficulty of the national football team to qualify. In contrast, if they can be promoted to Pot 4, the national football team will be able to obtain more favorable opponents in the draw, which will greatly increase the likelihood of competing for direct World Cup qualification in the round of 18.
In the coming June, the performance of the national football team in two key games against Thailand and South Korea will directly affect their position in the Asian rankings, thus determining the seeding bracket in the draw for the next round of 18. If the national football team can win these two games, especially against South Korea, they will have a chance to overtake Bahrain, who are currently ranked 12th, and move up to Pot 4 in Asia. This is undoubtedly a rare opportunity that the national football team must seize.
But at the same time, we must also be soberly aware that this is not an easy task. Thailand and South Korea are not Asia's top teams, but they are by no means easy opponents. The Thai team has performed well in Asian competitions in recent years, and the South Korean team is currently a first-class team in Asia, with strong strength and has always had the upper hand in historical encounters. For the national football team, which is in the period of reform and remodeling, it is undoubtedly a great test to win on both fronts in these two key battles.
We also have to take into account that the results of these two matches will not only affect the seeding position of the national football team, but will also directly determine the composition of their opponents and tactical deployment in the group of 18. This means that the national football team must not only ensure victory in these two games in the limited preparation time, but also formulate corresponding strategic plans for different group opponents that may be encountered. This undoubtedly puts forward higher requirements for the tactical decision-making ability of the coach and coaching team.
For the national football team, the current period is undoubtedly a critical period. This is both a rare opportunity and a huge challenge. How to win the two key battles that are coming, so as to break through the encirclement in the Asian rankings and move up to a more favorable seeding bracket, will be a key battle to determine the future development direction of the national football team.
【Going all out to meet the challenge】
Now that the national football team is facing such a critical decision-making moment, how should they respond to this challenge and create more favorable conditions for themselves in the future round of 18 competitions? In my opinion, the national football team needs to start from the following aspects and go all out to meet this tough battle:
Tactical deployment is refined
For the upcoming two key battles, the national football team must formulate a practical tactical deployment. This is not only about accurately analysing the characteristics and technical and tactical characteristics of the two teams in Thailand and South Korea, but also about designing a pre-designed response plan based on the different opponents they may face in the round of 18 group.
For example, against the strong South Korean team, the national football team can adopt defensive counterattack tactics to give full play to the speed advantage and the recent unstable state of the South Korean team; In the face of a relatively weak opponent such as Thailand, you can adopt more proactive tactics and control the initiative on the field. At the same time, it is necessary to adjust the formation and personnel arrangement according to different situations to ensure that each player's ability is maximized.
The national football team must go all out to study and analyze the opponent and formulate a realistic response strategy within the limited preparation time. Only by doing this can you perform at your best in the crucial moments and maximise your chances of winning.
Consolidate the mass foundation
In addition to tactical planning, the national football team must not relax in the construction of mass infrastructure. After all, the upcoming two matches are not only about the seeding of the national football team, but also about the reputation and status of Chinese football as a whole.