In the second round of the East Asian Cup showdown, the national soccer selection team and Japan played to a 0-0 draw, head coach Yankovic could not help but smile with relief. Reviewing the previous 0-3 loss to South Korea, he lamented: "This game is a wake-up call for us, the opponent's system is strong, but our players in the organization, defense and pressing performance can be remarkable. If we can get to the next level, victory may be just around the corner. The coaching staff will assist the players in their recovery and look forward to a better performance in the final game against Hong Kong, China."
Although Yankovic's words are full of confidence, comparing the two games, the performance of the national soccer selection team has indeed improved. However, if we look at the entire Chinese
national soccer team
The level of the ball, the East Asian Cup with South Korea and Japan, so that fans have to face a cruel reality - the gap with the near neighbors instead of narrowing, but is expanding.
It is worth mentioning that the Japanese team this East Asia Cup did not recall the players who traveled to Europe, and the players in the lineup are not all the top players in the J-League, but even so, they are still significantly better in terms of individual technical ability, and the overall tactical style is also very consistent. The whole game possession rate as high as 66%, 18 shots on goal, hit 7 times, although the Chinese players actively running and scrambling, but the technical gap is still difficult to make up. Facing the fierce pressure of the Japanese midfield, the Chinese team could not maintain possession of the ball for a long period of time and effectively cooperated with each other, and conceded the ball in their own half of the field for many times.
Goalkeeper Han Jiaqi has once again become the busiest person in the national soccer team. In the 5th minute, the Japanese team free kick kick, Hashimoto boxer shot, Han Jiaqi pounced out of the bottom line; in the 10th minute, Wakizaka Taedu shot, Han Jiaqi darted to save; in the 43rd minute, Koike Ryuta passes, the national football team in front of the goal clearance error, Han Jiaqi quickly out of the attack to destroy; in the 56th minute, the Japanese team breaks the ball, Wakizaka Taedu shot, Han Jiaqi once again will confiscate the ball.
Apart from Han Jiaqi, captain Zhu Chenjie's performance was also noteworthy. He played aggressively on the defensive end, keeping his team from conceding a goal, and even came close to breaking through the goal. In the 81st minute, Zhu Chenjie fired a shot from a corner kick, but unfortunately it went over the crossbar. This shot was also the only opportunity for China to come close to breaking through in the first two games, totaling three shots on goal in the match.
The unexpected harvest of the draw stems from the Chinese team's struggle and hard work, but on the other hand, it must also be recognized that the lack of explosive points in Japan's attack line is an important reason for the national football team to hold on to the draw. Japan's manager Mori Baoichi said after the match: "We want to win the game, but we must accept the result. The players did their best and we will reflect on today's game and try to avoid a similar situation in the next game."
China's select team, based on U23 players, deserves to be recognized for their spirit last night, but this draw is not something to celebrate. For this group of young players, the key is how to play the next game against Hong Kong, China. "East Asia Cup is not the bottom" has always been the Chinese
national soccer team
The bottom line of the ball, which has yet to be realized by the Chinese selectors. (Photo/Xinhua)
Author: Chen Haixiang
Editor: Gu Miao
Editor: Shen Lei
