The Chinese Football Association has made significant progress, with six naturalized players available for selection. Ivan focuses solely on ability and disregards fame, continuing to exclude European stars.
In the 18-team qualifiers, the team scored in four consecutive matches and achieved two consecutive victories, a feat that no national team coach other than Marcello Lippi had accomplished before. Despite having what could be considered the worst hand of cards in history, Ivan has managed to lead the team to this level, exceeding the expectations of fans.
Fan attitudes towards Ivan have undergone a polar reversal, from initial criticism to current recognition. The impact of the 7-0 loss in the first match was significant. When he first took office, his performance was not ideal, with rigid substitutions and outdated formations that did not meet expectations, especially in matches against Thailand and Saudi Arabia. However, the changes Ivan brought about are evident. First, there is a youthful lineup with bold use of new players, and second, there is an increased emphasis on defensive pressure. Central defenders are not just retreating to defend but are increasingly pressing outside the penalty area. So far, Ivan has delivered on his pre-season promise to secure points against Bahrain and Indonesia, with the game content aligning with the current state of the national team and exceeding expectations in training new players.
Ivan probably never intended to score points against Saudi Arabia, planning only to minimize losses or at most hold out for a draw. However, unexpectedly, we scored first, and the opponent received a red card, which left Ivan at a loss, unable to make effective adjustments on the spot, and he was confused throughout the match. The key victories over Bahrain and Indonesia were crucial, without which it would have been difficult to say. This is indeed Ivan's achievement, as he understands our level and has repositioned himself after gaining insight, enabling him to better leverage the team's potential.
After Song Kai took office at the Football Association, significant work has been done, particularly in advancing the naturalization process. Currently, the naturalization procedures for Serginho and Oscar are basically complete, and both will be able to participate in the second stage of the 18-team qualifiers in March. In addition to these two, there are four other naturalized players who may be activated. These include Alan and Fernandinho in the forward line, Hou Yongyong in midfield, and Jiang Guangtai in defense. Ivan will continue to evaluate the other three, but Hou Yongyong in midfield is unlikely to get a chance.
Last season, Hou Yongyong won the MVP and Golden Boot in the Norwegian First Division, and it was thought that Ivan might give him another chance to join the national team. However, Ivan continued to overlook him. In an interview, Ivan emphasized: "I select players based solely on their abilities and not their fame. As long as they fit our team and are diligent and hardworking, I will give them an opportunity." At present, Hou Yongyong is clearly a team player, and his issues are somewhat similar to those of Jadon Sancho. The technical and tactical level of the Chinese Super League is low, and individual talents are more valued. It is estimated that after Serginho joins the team, Hou Yongyong will have even fewer opportunities.
Fans should maintain a balanced perspective when watching upcoming national team matches. The national team has a tradition of providing small surprises when you despair of them and then consistently delivering disappointments when you start to hope for them.