Manager Maddaloni: Every U23 China player has a chance

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China’s men’s U23 soccer team finished their last training lesson on Saturday before the game against their last rival in Group C, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the 2018 Asian Games on Sunday. Manager Massimiliano Maddaloni took an interview with Tencent Sports.

After defeating Timor-Leste and Syria, China have almost sealed a spot in the next round. Maddaloni called it success after a year and a half of effort. The team has been getting better during this period and showed off their progress at the Asian Games.

China take a big 6-0 win against Timor-Leste. /VCG Photo

The two easy wins have won much praise for China’s U23 team but did not turn the manager Maddaloni's head. He remained calm and said that though the team were doing well, it’s just two games won and too early to feel excited.

Since the result of the game against the UAE will not carry much weight, many have been wondering if China will send more bench players to the field. When asked about that, Maddaloni said he will make proper adjustments to the squad but did not go into any further detail. He also mentioned that the U23 team have 20 young men available, all of whom are able to play in the first team lineup.

China take an easy 3-0 win against Syria. /VCG Photo

With three clean sheet wins in a row, China now have the chance to enter the elimination stage just as they did at the 2002 Asian Games. Even if the team loses to UAE on Sunday, the chances of China being knocked out are still small.

The only way for China to rank third in Group C will be: First, Syria beat Timor-Leste; second, China lose to UAE by at least six goals. And if the team can enter the best 16 as top of the group, they will meet a third ranked ranking team from Group A, B or F, which should prove to be an easy game.