"It’s fortunate to avoid a large defeat."
The Chinese media outlet Sohu reported on the 11th, stating, "As we face Japan, we must confront reality. We must start by avoiding a crushing defeat, and giving opportunities to new faces is the meaning of this tournament."
The Chinese men's national football team is set to face Japan in the second round of the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship on the 12th at 7:24 p.m. The two teams, having received opposite results in their first match, are expected to reaffirm the gap between them in this second confrontation.
The key goal set by the Chinese media for this match is simple: "Prevent a large defeat and experiment with generational change."
Sohu noted, "This Japan team is also composed only of J.League players without those in Europe, but it is by no means lightweight. With as many as 12 players being called up for their first time to the senior national team, the experimental aspect is strong, yet all of them are players who play key roles in their clubs. Hiroshi's mixed-race forward Jamal Ryo, winger Nakamura Sota, and Kashiwa's two-top resources Kakita Yui and Kubo Tojiro have already proven their presence in the league. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are regarded as 'the J.League All-Star team.'"
In fact, Japan recorded a resounding 6-1 victory over Hong Kong in their first match. In particular, Jamal Ryo, who scored four goals within just 25 minutes of the first half, delivered a performance that will go down in tournament history, while returning player Soma Yuki completely dominated the flanks with four assists. Both in power and flow, Japan appears to be far ahead of China.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu said, "The goal for this tournament is for all players to gain match experience," mentioning the possibility of rotation, but it is hard to deny that the overall strength of the squad is formidable. Sohu pointed out that "the expression 'Japan's third squad' only signifies a depth of players; nevertheless, they are still classified as candidates for victory in East Asia."
The historical record between the two countries reinforces Japan's superiority. China has recently suffered two defeats by Japan, including a crushing 0-7 loss in the Asian second qualifying round for the World Cup, and their most recent victory dates back to the 1998 Diners Cup. The only draw was a 0-0 match recorded in the 2022 East Asian Cup.
China suffered a demoralizing 0-3 loss to Korea in their first match. Even considering the lack of preparation time under the urgently appointed coach Dejan Jurjevic, both the performance and mentality fell short of expectations.
Sohu analyzed, "Especially, the collapse of the side defenses was painful. Concentrating on strengthening the midfield without proper full-backs led to being overwhelmed on the flanks. The left-side defender, Umitizhang, allowed space on multiple occasions, and the midfield was completely unable to withstand Korea's strong pressure."
Nevertheless, there are positive signs. "China recently attempted a transition to a three-back or five-back defensive formation instead of the existing four-back in training." This practical choice is interpreted as an effort to suppress Japan's attack through numerical superiority rather than by dominating the midfield.
With the formation change, some positional adjustments are also expected. Sohu reported, "The defensive line could consist of Zhu Chenjie and Zhang Shenglong returning to play a crucial role, and left-back Umitizhang may move to the center. There is also a possibility of Wang Siqin being deployed in the wing-back position." It added that "Gao Tian has shown limits due to unstable play from the back, and if there is no partner to share the defensive burden as was the case with his Shanghai team, he may struggle. Moving his position one line forward and giving an opportunity to Liao Jintao might be more reasonable."
In the attack, Wang Yidong's speed remains effective. Sohu pointed out, "The speed to break down the defensive line is even more important in such a disadvantaged situation. Zhang Wenjing is still the first choice upfront, but if both players are on the field together, the midfield defensive burden could become heavier," designating Wang Yidong as a key player.
The reality is harsh. Sohu criticized, "Against Korea, China was not merely defeated, but was completely outmatched in both tenacity and organization. The fact that they committed fewer fouls than Korea is evidence of their disadvantage and a signal that they crumbled mentally."
Ultimately, the value China must gain from this match against Japan is not the result, but the attitude. Sohu emphasized, "It is not necessary to win this match, but the image of being a 'resilient team' and 'a national team that does not give up' must be restored," stating that "facing reality and choosing football for survival instead of an illusory desire to dominate the ball is the first step."
[OSEN]