Asian Games may test China football's youth policy

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China thrashed Timor Leste 6-0 at the start of its Asian Games football journey, one that is being regarded as an examination of the Chinese Super League (CSL) Under-23 policy.

The tournament in Indonesia is for U-23 players but teams are allowed to field a maximum of three overage players. China, however, chose to stick to the strict age limit, with the overwhelming majority of players coming from the CSL.

In an effort to expose more young local talent, the league last year mandated teams to field at least one and as many as three players under the age of 23.

In addition, the total number of foreign players appearing in CSL matches per team must be no more than the total number of U-23 domestic players.

The Asian Games will a test of whether the policy is working, though the first encounter on Tuesday involved feeble opponents in Timor Leste, ranked 190th to China's 75th in the FIFA World Rankings.

Liu Yang (#4) of China vies for a ball with Silvero da Silva Garcia of Timor Leste during the men's football preliminary group C match between China and Timor Leste of the Asian Games at the Jalak Harupat stadium in Bandung the on August 14, 2018. /VCG Photo

Zhang Yuning, Zhang Yuan, Gao Zhunyi, Wei Shihao and Yao Junsheng all scored as the whole Chinese team showed superb energy in the opening game.

Forward Wei Shihao, one of the most outstanding young players who plays for current CSL leaders Beijing Guoan, has acquired rich professional football experience under the U-23 policy.

The same situation goes for defenders Liu Yiming, Gao Zhunyi and Deng Hanwen, midfielders Yao Junsheng and He Chao, and forwards Chen Binbin and Huang Zichang, as they had already been called up by the senior national team.

Wei Shihao #7 of Beijing Guoan in action during the China Football Association Cup match between Beijing Guoan and Tianjin Teda at Workers' Stadium on May 2, 2018, in Beijing. / VCG Photo

It is worth mentioning that forward Zhang Yuniing, who has been playing in Europe in recent years and whose name is often written on the formal national team’s list, is still within the age limit. And his ability was displayed as early as the 4th minute against Timor Leste.

China had 21 shots on goal, 13 of which were on target, compared to Timor Leste three shots, only one of which required a save.

Head coach Massimiliano Maddaloni played the same lineup that turned out in a friendly match against Iran a week earlier. As a long-time assistant of Marcello Lippi, the China men’s national football team manager, Maddaloni is aiming to reach the quarterfinals at least.

China’s U-23 football coach Massimiliano Maddalon. /VCG Photo

Lippi also watched the Timor Leste game to keep an eye on promising players that could make the national team for the 2019 Asian Cup.

China’s best result in the Asian Games was in 1994 in Hiroshima, Japan, where it was the runner-up.

The team in Indonesia will have to be at its best with the probability of facing strong rivals like Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Qatar and South Korea, who took the first four places in 2018 AFC U-23 Championship earlier this year.

China will face Syria on August 16 and UAE on August 19. The two teams rank, respectively, 73rd and 77th suggesting they will provide sterner opposition that Timor Leste.