Official announcement: The kick-off time of the Chinese men's football team VS Japan is finalized, CCTV5 broadcasts live, and fans cheer
On June 28, 2024, the Chinese Football Association officially announced that the first round of the round of 18 matches of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers between the Chinese men's football team and the Japanese team will be played in Japan on September 5. This high-profile match will be broadcast live by CCTV5, and the news immediately sparked heated discussions and expectations among fans.
As the first match of Group C of the round of 18, the Sino-Japanese showdown is undoubtedly one of the most eye-catching highlights of this round. As the top team in Asian football, Japan has made many achievements in the international arena in recent years, including defeating strong teams such as Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In contrast, although the Chinese team has improved, it still faces huge challenges.
Jankovic, the head coach of the Chinese team, said in an interview: "We attach great importance to this game and have started targeted training. Japan are strong, but we will give our all and try to get a good result. Jankovic stressed that the team will adopt flexible tactics and adjust according to the situation of the game.
In order to prepare for this crucial game, the Chinese Football Association has formulated a detailed training plan. It is reported that the national team will start intensive training in mid-August and arrange two warm-up matches to improve the team's actual combat status. At the same time, the coaching staff is closely monitoring the situation of the players in Europe, considering recalling some players who are in excellent form to strengthen the squad.
CCTV5's live broadcast will undoubtedly greatly enhance the attention of this game. According to statistics, the TV ratings of the last Sino-Japanese football match reached a staggering 3.8%, setting a new high for Chinese football matches in recent years. The live broadcast of CCTV5 is likely to attract more viewers and further promote the development of Chinese football.
However, there are challenges and opportunities. The Japanese team's home game, coupled with its excellent skills and rich experience in international competitions, is undoubtedly a big opponent for the Chinese team. Chinese football commentator Zhang Lu pointed out: "This game is a rare learning opportunity for the Chinese team. We need to learn from the game, identify the gaps and be ready for the next games. "
It is worth noting that the round of 18 adopts a new format, and the top two teams in each group directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals, which gives the Chinese team greater hope of qualifying. However, Australia and Saudi Arabia are also in the same group, and China will need to give it their all in every game.
The support of the fans is a strong backing for the team. Since the official announcement of the match time, the discussion about the match has continued to heat up on social media. One fan said: "Although the opponent is strong, I believe that our team will give it their all. Whatever the outcome, we'll stand it out to the end! "This positive attitude will undoubtedly give the players more confidence.
At the same time, the Chinese Football Association is also actively promoting the reform of the youth training system. It is understood that the Football Association plans to establish 50 football characteristic schools in the next five years to cultivate more young talents. Although this measure is difficult to achieve results in the short term, it is crucial for the long-term development of Chinese football.
In the face of this tough battle, the Chinese team needs to be fully prepared in terms of technical tactics and psychological quality. Former international player Sun Jihai suggested: "We should treat this game with a normal heart, neither fearful nor blindly optimistic. The key is to play at your level and bring the form you have in training to the game. "
In general, this Sino-Japanese battle is not only a contest of strength, but also an important node on the road of Chinese football development. Regardless of the outcome, it will provide valuable experience and inspiration for Chinese football. As officially announced, on September 5, let us witness a new chapter in Chinese football through CCTV5's live broadcast. The cheers and expectations of the fans will become a powerful driving force for the continuous progress of Chinese football.