The Chinese media discussed the reality of its domestic football scene.

'Sohu' reported on the 11th, "Against Japan, we must face reality. It starts with preventing a big loss. Giving new faces a chance is also the significance of this tournament."

The Chinese national football team will face Japan in the second match of the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup), which will take place at 7:24 p.m. on the 12th. The two teams, which showed completely different flows in the first match, are expected to confront the practical gap in strength once again through this match.

The realistic goal set by the Chinese media is simple: "Preventing a recurrence of disaster, and an experiment in generational change."

'Sohu' warned, "This Japanese national team is also composed only of J-League players without European players, but the content is different. A significant 12 players are making their first call-up to the A-team, which shows a strong 'experimental nature'; however, all of them are key players active in their respective teams. Jermaine Ryo, a mixed-race forward from Hiroshima, well-equipped Nakamura Sota on the flank, and the two strikers Kakita Yui and land Tojiro from Kashiwa are players who have already made a mark in the J-League. The assessment that it is essentially an All-Star team of the J-League is not made in vain."

In fact, Japan achieved a commanding 6-1 victory against Hong Kong in the first match. Jermaine Ryo, who scored four goals in just 25 minutes into the first half, set a record that will remain in tournament history, and Soma Yuki, making a long-awaited return, completely dominated the flanks with four assists. From China's perspective, they are an opponent incomparable not only in skill but also in atmosphere.

Head coach Hajime Moriyasu noted, "The goal is for all squad members to gain experience by participating in this tournament," suggesting the possibility of rotation, but their strength remains formidable regardless of substitutions. 'Sohu' commented, "The characterization of these players as 'third-string' is merely a criterion showing the depth of Japanese football, and they are still title contenders on the East Asian stage."

China has historically struggled against Japan. In the recent 18th-round World Cup qualifiers, they suffered two defeats, including a crushing 0-7 loss. The most recent victory was back in 1998 during the Diners Cup, and even a draw was only recorded as a 0-0 tie during the 2022 East Asian Cup.

After suffering a 0-3 defeat to South Korea in the first match, China bowed its head once again. Under the hasty guidance of head coach Dejan Jurjevic, there was no tactical change or improvement in morale. Although the short preparation period is worth considering, the Chinese national team still appeared directionless.

The media pointed out, "In particular, the collapse on both flanks was painful. Attempting to dominate the midfield against South Korea without a traditional side defender resulted in complete overwhelm. The left back Umitijang was repeatedly caught off guard, and the midfield combination was powerless against the opponent’s pressure."

They added, "The only hopeful signal is that China attempted to switch from a four-man to a three-man (or five-man) defense during recent training. The strategy of increasing defensive numbers by abandoning the parallel midfield tactic is almost the only option available to face Japan right now."

"If there are changes, some adjustments to the player composition may occur. Central defense is likely to be reassigned to Zhu Chengge and Zhang Shengrong, and Umitijang might move from the flank to the center. There’s a possibility that Wang Shiqin, known for better defensive skills, will be used as a wing-back," they analyzed. "The midfield still has many challenges. Gao Ten struggled with his role from the back, and if there isn’t a partner to share defensive burdens, as was the case at Shanghai Shenhua, it has become evident that he cannot fulfill his role. Rather, moving his position forward and giving midfielder Liao Jintao from Dalian Yifang a chance could satisfy both experimentation and practicality."

'Sohu' pointed out, "In terms of attack formation, Wang Yidong's speed remains a valuable weapon for counterattacks. The more difficult the match is to dominate the midfield, the more valuable Wang Yidong's speed becomes. The central striker remains most realistically chosen as Zhang Wenying, but if both players start together, the midfield defensive capability would inevitably be emphasized."

Of course, the likelihood that tactical adjustments will change the game result is slim. The issue lies in will and attitude. 'Sohu' remarked, "In the first match against South Korea, China suffered not only a defeat but also was completely overwhelmed in terms of fighting spirit and organization. The fact that China committed fewer fouls than South Korea is evidence of inferiority and a signal for awakening," raising concerns about the team's morale.

The media asserted, "What China should gain from this match against Japan is not victory but a restoration of dignity," emphasizing that "It’s important to prevent any further disasters, test the potential of new players, and above all, regain the image of a team that doesn’t give up. The only starting point is to acknowledge reality and choose survival-oriented football instead of taking the initiative."

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