The Chinese men's football team has recently ushered in a wave of major adjustments, and the sudden emergence of two rookies has aroused widespread attention from fans. This lineup change not only involves the replacement of players, but also an important change in the tactical thinking of the national football team.
With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Asian round of 36 approaching, the new coach Ivankovic faces no small challenge. After a dismal performance in the last Asian Cup, the Chinese Football Association is determined to carry out a complete reform at the national team level. And the core of this reform is to stimulate the vitality of the team by introducing fresh blood.
It is worth noting that this adjustment is not a simple personnel change. Ivankovic knows that in the face of Asian powerhouses such as Japan and Korea, the Chinese team does not have an advantage in passing, control, counterattacking, etc. As a result, he boldly put forward a tactical concept with set-pieces at its core. This strategic choice not only takes into account the actual situation of the Chinese team, but also provides a viable way for the team to win.
Under the new tactical system, two new players stand out. One of them is Huang Zhengyu from Shandong Taishan, a young midfielder who has shown excellent defensive ability and playmaking talent. The other is Shanghai Shenhua's right-back Yang Zexiang, whose outstanding performances at the club have given Ivankovic hope of solving the problem on the right side of the national football team.
The addition of these two newcomers has undoubtedly injected new vitality into the national football team. Not only did they bring the drive and fighting spirit of young people, but more importantly, they provided more tactical options for the team. Especially in set-piece tactics, their height advantage and header ability will become a major weapon in the national football team's attack.
However, the rise of newcomers also means that some veterans may face the fate of being replaced. Wu Lei and Wei Shihao, the former top stars of the national football team, may temporarily lose their main positions under the new tactical system. Although this change is regrettable, it also reflects the determination of the national football team to seek change and innovation.
It is worth mentioning that Ivankovic did not completely abandon the veteran. He has adopted a strategy of combining old and new, while retaining experienced players such as Wang Dalei and Jiang Guangtai, he also provides more opportunities for young players. This balanced approach not only ensures the stability of the team, but also lays the groundwork for future development.
Under the new tactical system, set-pieces have become the winning weapon of the national football team. Ivankovic emphasised the importance of corners and free-kicks, and even included Wang Dalei's hand-tossed ball into tactical considerations. This attention to detail shows the manager's deep understanding and pragmatic attitude towards the current situation of Chinese football.
With the deepening of the training camp, the new look of the national football team is gradually emerging. In a recent internal training match, the cooperation between the new and old players has begun to bear fruit. Especially from set-pieces, the team showed surprising improvement. This undoubtedly adds a boost of confidence to the upcoming round of 36.
However, the road to reform has never been easy. It takes time to develop new tactics, and the tacit understanding between new and old players also needs to be cultivated in actual combat. In this regard, Ivankovic said that the team will try more in the next warm-up matches to find the most suitable lineup and tactics.
This big change of the national football team is not only an adventure, but also an opportunity. It is not only about the departure and retention of several players, but also an important attempt for Chinese football to seek a breakthrough. No matter what the result is, this spirit of courage to change is worthy of our recognition and expectation.