Qingdao's home game loss highlights the weakness of the national team
The Chinese national football team suffered its first defeat at home in three years, falling to Qingdao FC in a 2-1 result on Saturday night. The match was marred by controversy as both teams were given yellow cards for violent conduct.
Despite their lackluster performance, the Chinese national team has shown signs of improvement under new coach Guan Hongbo. However, they still have a long way to go before they can compete with the best teams in Asia and beyond.
The loss to Qingdao FC is just the latest setback for the national team, which has struggled to find form since the departure of former coach Jürgen Klinsmann in January. The team has failed to win any of their last six matches, including two losses against South Korea in February.
One of the main reasons for the national team's struggles is their inability to create chances from open play. The team often relies too heavily on set pieces, but they struggle to convert those opportunities into goals. This has been a recurring problem throughout the season, with the national team failing to score more than one goal per game over the past few months.
Another issue facing the national team is their lack of depth in key positions. The team is thin in midfield and defense, with many players unable to step up when called upon. This has led to a lack of cohesion and consistency in the team's performances.
Overall, the loss to Qingdao FC is a reminder of the weaknesses that exist within the Chinese national team. While there are some positive signs, such as the emergence of young talent like Zhang Tiejun and Ye Shiwen, the team will need to make significant improvements if they hope to compete at the highest level in Asia and beyond.