CFA: Under-23 league lays foundation for future
Month-long competition backed to breathe new life into youth ranks
Despite failing to qualify for the World Cup, Team China coach Marcello Lippi this week claimed that the national side has shown improvement during his reign. However the Italian is leaving behind an aging squad short on confidence and with a dearth of young talent waiting in the wings to boot.
The announcement last month of the launch of a new under-23 league for clubs in the country’s top three tiers is the latest in a raft of measures by the Chinese Football Association to try and rectify that situation.
The league is due to be played over the course of December, with clubs allowed a maximum of three over-23 players, six under-19s and two under-17s in 18 to 30-man squads.
According to news website sohu.com, 16 teams, including 10 from the top-flight CSL, have signed up for the league, which the CFA hopes can give the nation’s young talent a much-needed lift.
“There are many things to be done and there’s still a gap between China and the world’s soccer powerhouses,” said Qi Jun, the CFA’s deputy secretary general, on Thursday.
“If we don’t invest in building a solid foundation for our nation’s soccer, there’s no future, and I believe that through years of effort, Chinese soccer will improve.”
Some clubs had complained they simply don’t have enough manpower to participate in the league, with the situation exacerbated by an ongoing national training camp for a select group of under-25 players, as well as a busy schedule for the China Under-21 side.
However, Qi said: “The new under-23 league is designed as a complementary competition after the CSL season, and it’s not an all-year competition.”
Currently, CSL clubs are obliged to meet an under-23 player quota in their matchday squads, but the CFA now wants to widen the scope of its youth policies.
“The CFA has been focusing on the development of under23 players, and has implemented policies to offer more opportunities for under-23s to play and gain experience.
“However, with our current policies in the CSL, only a small group of under-23s get the chance to play while many others still need a platform to play. We want the new league to be that platform.”
Meanwhile, recently appointed national U21 coach Guus Hiddink is continuing to prepare his squad for its bid to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Dutchman, who famously led South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semifinal, is well aware of the difficult task he faces.
“No matter how hard it is, I have to qualify the team for the Olympics,” the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss told Dutch media on Thursday. “If I fail to achieve that, my work in China will be over. That’s the deal with the CFA.
“For Chinese soccer, there are many basic things to be done. The current reforms cannot ensure that Team China will qualify for a World Cup up to the 2030 edition.
“In November, we will play against Iceland, Thailand and Mexico. Then we will make good use of the time from January to March. There is also the possibility that the under21 team could play in China’s professional leagues.”
The CFA is confident Hiddink’s appointment will not be in vain, even if Olympic qualification is not secured.
“We welcome foreign coaches who can bring more experience to our country,” said Qi. “Entry-level coaches in China can learn from foreign coaches and improve youth training.”