Media Figures Heatedly Discuss China-Japan Clash: National Team Has No Hope at All; Going All Out Might Still Bring Surprises

On September 5th, 18:35, the first round of the Asian Qualifiers for the World Cup’s Top 18, the Chinese men’s national football team will play an away game against Japan. Before the match, domestic football media figures have varying opinions on the prospects of the national team’s first match.

Some reporters believe that going all out might still bring surprises. Other reporters believe that the national team has no hope at all. In response to the heated discussions about the national team, Leisu Sports summarized different attitudes and viewpoints ranging from optimistic, pessimistic, to neutral.

【Optimistic School】

Viewpoint: Going all out might still bring surprises

Guan Yin: Judging from various sources, the General Administration of Sport and the Chinese Football Association are very serious about the national team’s participation in the Top 18 qualifiers, but unlike in the past, they have focused more on encouragement during their visits, without exerting much pressure. Whether it’s the first opponent, Japan, or the entire Top 18 tournament, the Chinese team does not have a must-win or a must-qualify goal from the group stage, which is considered based on the current actual ranking and overall strength of the national team in Asian football. Unburdening themselves and going all out might still bring some pleasant surprises to the fans. After all, the last time Ivankovic led the team to Tokyo as a guest, he had the last laugh.

【Moderate School】

Viewpoint: Hope to face the game with a good mindset

Lu Yang: Away against Japan, we should not expect too much in terms of strength, nor should we place too much strategic importance on it. Personally, I think the main goals of this game should be: to explore a reasonable model for competing with strong teams without incurring additional costs (injuries and yellow/red cards), to aim at losing fewer goals and not falling into a disadvantage too early in terms of goal difference, and to do a good job of psychological adjustment after losing to ensure normal performance at Dalian’s home games. I hope everyone can face this game with a good mindset, and also hope that the team’s performance won’t make everyone’s mindset too bad.

Viewpoint: Try to concede fewer goals and strive for an ideal result

Han Qiaosheng: Regarding naturalized forwards, Fei Nando, with his unique explosive power and breakthrough ability, is the only player in the team with a breakout role. While Alan, with his excellent scoring ability in front of the goal and his ability to link up and organize, adds more variations and threats to the team’s offense. Although the frontline is such, when facing a formidable opponent, our goal is to try to reduce conceded goals and strive for an ideal result in the away game!

【Pessimistic School】

Viewpoint: The national team has no hope at all

Yuan Jia: Frankly speaking, in my opinion, the national team has absolutely no chance against Japan now. From the transfer values alone, there are 11 players on the Japanese team worth over ten million each, meaning each one of them is worth as much as our entire team. The current gap between the national team and Japan is not just one or two levels. At this stage of Chinese football, apart from ticket prices, I can’t think of anything else where we could beat them.

【Alternative School】

Viewpoint: Can only guess that the national team won’t score

He Xiaolong: For the national team’s first away game against Japan, if asked to guess the score, it’s hard to predict, I can only guess that the national team won’t score any goals.

So, for the above differing views, whose opinion would you agree with?