China has reasons to cheer
Rise of underdogs in Russia among plethora of pluses for national team
China might not have made it to the World Cup finals in Russia, but the national team can take heart and learn from a tournament packed full of surprises — such as:
Magnificent minnows
AFP
Teams that have traditionally had only moderate success on the international stage have proven that even the world’s best can be vulnerable under pressure.
No team typified this more than Russia. The host showed the benefit of playing with passion, discipline and self-belief as it made it to the last eight for the first time in the post-Soviet era.
Iceland, despite failing to advance beyond the group stage, was another minnow to make a major impression.
With a population of less than 350,000, the Nordic nation was able to field a team that was more than competitive here. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side outplayed Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the first half of its opener before holding the two-time champion to a 1-1 draw.
Iceland also pushed Croatia until the last minute in Rostov, where it was unlucky to lose 2-1.
Asia excels
Often maligned as one of FIFA’s weaker regions, Asia was well represented in this global showcase.
South Korea and Japan, in particular, showed they can compete against the world’s strongest teams. Fast and fearless, the Samurai Blue looked like overcoming Belgium when it led the last-16 clash 2-0. However the European side moved up the gears to strike three goals in the last 25 minutes to snatch victory in AFP stoppage time.
South Korea didn’t progress beyond its group but recorded one of the upsets of the competition when it overcame defending champion Germany 2-0 in its last game.
A special mention goes to Iran, which also failed to make it to the knockout stage despite conceding only twice in its three matches.
Foreign exchange
China has had eight foreign coaches since Klaus Schlappner became the first non-Chinese boss of the national team in 1992. It hasn’t always been a successful experiment, but Russia 2018 has shown that managers holding foreign passports can prosper on soccer’s biggest stage. The best example of this has been Roberto Martinez.
The Spaniard’s tactical acumen and pragmatism have allowed Belgium to unlock its potential, having progressed to the last four of the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Other foreign coaches to lead their teams into the last 16 were Norwegian Age Hareide (Denmark), Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio (Mexico) and Argentine Jose Pekerman (Colombia). Kudos also goes to Argentine Ricardo Gareca for guiding Peru to its first finals in 36 years. AFP
The performances of those teams gives China every reason to believe that its strategy to look beyond its own shores will yield results. Current boss Marcello Lippi, who guided Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, deserves every chance to instil his philosophies and methods in the national setup.
Super League shines
The standard of the Chinese Super League has improved markedly in recent years with a number of global stars arriving from Europe.
This World Cup has provided further evidence that China is an ideal place for elite talents to ply their trade. Some eight players at this World Cup belong to Chinese clubs, including Brazil’s Renato Augusto (Beijing Guo’an), Argentina’s Javier Mascherano (Hebei China Fortune) and Belgium’s Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang).
The CSL’s high representation shows that the Chinese domestic game must be nurtured and the high quality maintained. However, the importance of promoting local talent while attracting international stars will continue to be a fine balancing act.
should inspire China.
reacts to the lastminute loss to Belgium.
Brand new
The 21st edition of the World Cup has also shown that it’s possible for countries to make a big impression off the pitch. China has done just that, providing a raft of major sponsors that have capitalized on the tournament’s exposure to extend the global reach of their brands.
Among official backers of Russia 2018 are property and entertainment conglomerate Wanda, technology firms Hisense and Vivo, and dairy company Mengniu.
“Chinese companies spotted the opportunity for a relatively cost-effective way to get their brands in front of billions of global eyeballs,” Simon Chadwick, professor of sports enterprise at Salford University in the UK, told The Guardian.
Spanish coach.
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the World Cup.
REUTERS