The 18-team qualifiers for the 2026 USA-Mexico-Canada World Cup Asian zone are in full swing, and our national football team is now at a critical crossroads. The seventh round of matches is about to begin, and this is undoubtedly a life-and-death battle!
In preparation for this important match, the national team started its first training camp of the new year on January 9. Our head coach, Ivanković, is known for his dedication. At the age of 73, he still personally instructs each player on the field. This level of work intensity would be unbearable for most people, but Coach Ivan is giving it his all for the future of the national team!
Coach Ivan understands the importance of this match, so he has implemented high-intensity training with two sessions per day during the training camp. This has been quite demanding for many of the national players, but everyone realizes that this is necessary to achieve good results in the match. After all, with four teams in the group tied on points, a win could bring us closer to qualification, while a loss would push us further away, making qualification even more uncertain.
During this training camp, two newcomers have stood out, namely Hou Yongyong and Wu Shaocong. Hou Yongyong, who was selected for the Chinese men's national team for the first time, shone brightly during the training camp and earned the trust of Coach Ivan. Coach Ivan intends to assign him to the forward position, which means that in the seventh round of matches, Hou Yongyong will become a key player for the national team and a capable assistant to Coach Ivan.
Hou Yongyong was named the top scorer in the second-tier Norwegian First Division last season, demonstrating his considerable strength. He himself expressed his hope to contribute to the national team in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Similarly, Wu Shaocong also possesses remarkable abilities. Both he and Hou Yongyong have received strong support from Coach Ivan, securing their positions as mainstays of the national team. The rise of these two newcomers is like an injection of adrenaline for the national team, giving fans new hope.
Of course, while some players are being heavily utilized during the training camp, others are not receiving the same level of attention. Among the goalkeepers selected for the national team, Coach Ivan places more trust in veterans like Wang Dalei. Young goalkeepers like Jian Tao, although included in the national team training list, have not impressed Coach Ivan enough, making this training camp more of a learning experience for them without the opportunity to play in the 18-team qualifiers.
In addition to Jian Tao, three other players have been confirmed to be leaving due to lack of utilization: Han Pengfei, Cheng Jin, and Wu Mitijiang. Han Pengfei did not receive many opportunities initially, and with Coach Ivan now favoring Wu Shaocong, he has become a marginal figure. The other two players lost Coach Ivan's trust due to poor performances during the training camp and had to leave regrettably.
In terms of tactical arrangements, the national team is likely to continue with the 4-4-2 diamond midfield formation. Although the team struggled with this formation at the beginning of the 18-team qualifiers, as the competition progressed, the players gradually adapted and understood the tactical system. Sudden changes to the formation could undermine previous efforts.
Our opponent in the seventh round, Saudi Arabia, excels in short passes and penetration through the flanks. Therefore, the national team is likely to exert significant pressure on the opponents' flanks in defense, striving to cut off Saudi Arabia's passing lines and offensive strategies. Additionally, Saudi Arabia's formation is typically compact, with the defensive line positioned forward, creating counter-attacking opportunities for China. Consequently, the national team will still choose to proactively give up possession and rely on long passes to threaten Saudi Arabia's goal.
Saudi Arabia's recent form has also been lackluster, which is good news for the national team. However, we cannot afford to be complacent, as the outcome of football matches is unpredictable. To win against Saudi Arabia away from home, the national team must perform at its best, with every player giving their all.