Xi Jinping's directive of 'football rise' was of no use.
The Chinese U20 national football team was eliminated after losing 0-1 to Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals of the '2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U20 Asian Cup' held at the youth football training center stadium in Shenzhen, China, on the 22nd (Korea time).
The elimination in the quarterfinals also dashed China's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup. China squandered a penalty kick earned dramatically in the 58th minute, wasting a chance for victory. In stoppage time of the second half, China collapsed by allowing a dramatic goal to Saudi Arabia's Amar Al-Yuhaybi.
Chinese football had indeed improved compared to the past, but its limitations were clear. China maintained 59% possession and pressured Saudi Arabia, but the lack of finishing ability caused them to lament.
According to Chinese media, senior officials from the Chinese Football Association publicly expressed their anger after the match. This is because the current U20 team players are systematically cultivated from youth under the directive of Xi Jinping to qualify for the World Cup.
China has promoted 'football rise' since the mid-2010s with the goal of conquering Asia and qualifying for the World Cup. Accordingly, they identified promising players early and intensively trained them to become elite athletes. Those nurtured players are now the backbone of the U20 national team.
Therefore, the shock of this defeat and the elimination from the World Cup is even greater. There is a sense of defeat among the people of China that no matter how much effort is put in, it is futile.
'Guangdong Province Daily' lamented, "This national team's performance is a greater tragedy compared to previous matches. It inherited the chronic problems of China's former players. The Chinese national team is failing to meet Asia's top standards, let alone compete globally as the gap continues to widen."
China acknowledged the need for advanced leadership and brought in Dejan Djurićević as the head coach, but it was helpless. 'Guangdong Province Daily' stated, "Djurićević made bold attempts, but the squad was lacking. China's young players still lack talent. To qualify for the World Cup, a more robust reserve squad must be built," addressing issues within China's football cultivation system.
Liu Chengyu, who missed the penalty kick against Saudi Arabia, is called the 'enemy' and is receiving all the blame from fans. The media criticized, "Liu Chengyu was indecisive and lethargic. China has suffered from a lack of finishing ability for a long time. They are significantly behind in experience as well."
Song Kai, the president of the Chinese Football Association, expressed great anger at the World Cup elimination and hinted at a 'bloody purge.' Despite providing top-level support, the results did not materialize. Will merely providing support lead to results for China? Although China has produced numerous Olympic gold medalists, football has not progressed at all, neither in the past nor now.