The latest training roster for the national football team has surprised fans as two key players, Wu Lei and Jiang Guangtai, have been left out due to injuries. However, the emergence of eight young newcomers has caught everyone's attention, suggesting that coach Ivan is keen on testing these fresh faces ahead of two tough matches in March.
The changes in the training roster are significant, with Liu Dianzuo, Jiang Guangtai, and Wu Lei all missing from the list. Wu Lei's injury appears to be quite serious, as it is reported that he will need a long period of rest before he can return to training and competition.
The competition for the goalkeeper position has always been fierce, so Liu Dianzuo's omission was somewhat expected. Wang Dalei has consistently shown good form, and other young goalkeepers have also performed well.
Jiang Guangtai's absence is indeed concerning, as he plays a crucial role in the defense, especially against physically strong opponents. We hope he recovers quickly.
The eight newly selected players are all young, with Jian Tao and Han Pengfei performing well in the league. Young talents like Wu Mitijiang and Mai Ulang, both only 20 years old, have also been included, indicating that the coaching staff is seriously considering the future.
The average age of this squad is just over 26, with Wang Dalei being the exception among a group of post-90s and post-00s players, making it one of the youngest national teams in recent years.
With more young players, there is undoubtedly an advantage in terms of physical fitness and speed. However, the lack of experience is a concern, particularly when facing strong teams like Saudi Arabia and Australia.
Ivan's defensive counter-attack tactics are well-suited for this young team, as they have good physical endurance and pose a greater threat when launching counter-attacks.
Since Ivan took office, the national team's defense has become much more solid. Regardless of the opponent's strength, the focus is first on defense.
This tactical approach may seem conservative, but it has helped the team avoid many heavy defeats, gradually building up the players' confidence.
With a solid defense, there are naturally more opportunities for counter-attacks. The current team's counter-attack speed is fast, especially with quick players like Wei Shihao leading the charge.
Zhang Yuning and Bai Helamu have both recovered their form well, which is good news for the national team's offense, as goals ultimately depend on the forwards.
Li Lei and Li Yuanyi have returned to the starting lineup, demonstrating that the coaching staff still values their experience and skills, especially in key matches where veterans are relied upon.
The starting lineup is now taking shape, and it remains to be seen whether the team can achieve good results in the upcoming matches and secure more points.
There are also attacking players like Fernandinho and Hou Yongyong on the bench, who can be brought on at critical moments to strengthen the offense.
The team's atmosphere seems positive, with the young players bringing vitality and the veterans contributing their roles.
Although this young national team has potential, it does require time to gel, particularly in terms of accumulating experience in major competitions.
While the defensive counter-attack tactic is stable, it sometimes misses offensive opportunities, which needs to be adjusted and improved in actual combat.
Wu Lei's absence is indeed a loss, as his experience and ability to seize opportunities are hard to replace within the national team.
The transition between old and new players is an inevitable process, and the key is to quickly develop chemistry on the field, which requires joint efforts from the coaching staff and players.
The competition for the goalkeeper position is beneficial for improving the overall level, but it is important to quickly determine the main goalkeeper to maintain the stability of the defensive system.
The inclusion of so many post-00s players reflects progress in our youth training system, despite remaining shortcomings; at least the direction is correct.
Coach Ivan's bold use of newcomers is commendable, but it is also essential to balance the relationship between new and experienced players.
These final four matches are crucial, and we hope the team can make more breakthroughs in the offensive end while maintaining their defensive strength.