The Chinese national football team has gathered for winter training in preparation for the two matches of the top 18 qualifiers in March 2025. According to recent reports from Japanese media, several positions in the Chinese national football team lineup are about to be strengthened with the addition of several naturalized players. They will aim for second place in the top 18 qualifiers, which could pose a threat to Australia and Saudi Arabia. In the 2024 games, except for the first match against Japan that ended in a 0-7 defeat, the other five matches showed remarkable competitiveness.
The 2025 national team lineup is as follows:
Forwards: Zhang Yuning, Little Oscar
Midfielders: Xie Weneng, Serginho, Wang Shangyuan, Wei Shihao
Defenders: Gao Zhunyi, Jiang Shenglong, Jiang Guangtai, Hu Hetao
Goalkeeper: Han Jiaqi
Head Coach: Ivanković
Substitutes:
Forwards: Bai Helamu, Lin Liangming, Hou Yongyong
Midfielders: Wang Haijian, Cao Yongjing, Li Yuan
Defenders: Zhu Chenjie, Li Lei, Wu Shaoc
Zhang Yuning, who has proven himself in the top 18 qualifiers as a pivotal player with assists and goals, will partner with Little Oscar up front. Fans have jokingly said, "Brother Yuning, please cry four more times! If you cry four more times, we can qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico!" I believe that Zhang Yuning's determination to serve the country is very strong, and those tears are both excitement and difficulty.
Little Oscar, a naturalized player, despite the arrears of wages from Cangzhou Mighty Lions, did not forget to express his love for China. The 25-year-old Congolese player has an excellent physique, speed, and explosive power. He can play as a center forward or a winger, forming a frontcourt combination with Zhang Yuning, which is worth watching.
Xie Weneng, Wei Shihao, and Wang Shangyuan are likely to be the framework in the coach's mind for the midfield, and there should not be much adjustment.
Another naturalized player, Serginho, a Brazilian midfielder aged 29, joined the Japanese J League in 2018, helping the team win the AFC Champions League title and also scoring in the Club World Cup. This technical midfielder can hold onto the ball, has a broad vision, precise passing, and can create opportunities for his teammates. This is exactly what the current national team needs the most. Partnering with Xie Weneng and Wei Shihao on the left and right, the three lines of attack will be fully opened; Wang Shangyuan mainly plays as a defensive midfielder, and Serginho can also retreat to play as a defensive midfielder, forming a double pivot, or position forward to form a diamond formation.
In defense, with Jiang Guangtai's subsequent recovery from injury, the backline remains relatively stable.
As for the goalkeeper, shouldn't we cultivate young players?