The Chinese men’s football team has commenced a 10-day training camp in Haikou, Hainan Province, to gear up for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The squad of 32 players, guided by Coach Branko Ivankovic, is focusing on this crucial period to bolster their chances of reaching next year’s finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
“We are very happy to gather and train in Haikou, and hope to achieve positive results through this training camp,” Ivankovic remarked. “We have a lot of players this time, including several young players, and we want to see their condition. We will also analyze our previous games from qualifying, and tackle our problems from before.”
Following their last matches in 2024, China, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Bahrain each accumulated six points in Group C. Japan currently leads the group, with Australia sitting in second place. The competition remains fierce as the top two teams qualify directly, while the third and fourth-placed teams move into additional rounds of qualifying.
China revitalized their campaign by defeating Indonesia in October and Bahrain in November. The team’s performance in these matches has kept their World Cup aspirations alive. Coach Ivankovic believes that the training camp in Hainan Province will provide an opportunity to assess the team’s strengths and address previous challenges.
The camp not only focuses on physical conditioning but also strategic planning. The coaching staff intends to utilize this time to refine tactics and foster team cohesion. With several young talents joining the roster, the camp presents a platform for emerging players to showcase their abilities.
The upcoming qualifiers are pivotal for China’s ambition to secure a spot in the World Cup finals. The team’s preparations in Haikou reflect their commitment to excellence and determination to advance on the international stage.
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Chinese footballers meet in Haikou to prepare for World Cup qualifiers
cgtn.com
