In the group stage of the World Cup qualifiers in the United States, Canada and Mexico last month, the Chinese team's record was like a roller coaster, which made people feel complicated. First of all, the victory against the Thai team showed us the potential and fighting spirit of the national football team. But then, the 3-0 defeat at home dealt us a heavy blow, and people couldn't help but sigh that the changes on the football pitch were really unpredictable.
When it comes to the lineup of the national football team, we have to mention the 343 formation formulated by Jankovic. In this system, the role of the center forward is crucial. Unfortunately, our central forward line is in an awkward position at the moment. Zhang Yuning's return from injury is undoubtedly good news, but his form remains to be seen. On the other hand, while Exxon was once our star of hope, he now seems to be unable to take on the role of a main striker. And the 35-year-old veteran Tan Long, although he performed well in the Asian Games, the stage of the world preliminaries is obviously a new challenge for him.
Next, Jankovic must make adjustments, not only for the upcoming crucial matchup with Singapore, but also for the future of the national football team. Zhang Yuning's return should be his first choice. And the performance of Wu Lei and Wei Shihao on the side will also be the key to the national football team's offensive. Wu Lei's movement and Wei Shihao's speed are indispensable for us against Singapore.
The 2024 Qatar Asian Cup will be another big test for the national football team. Facing three strong opponents, Tajikistan, Lebanon and Qatar, the national football team needs to do well in the group stage, especially against the host Qatar. We have to get enough points in the first two rounds or we could be in trouble when we face Qatar in the final round.
In the face of the upcoming challenge, Jankovic's position is also in jeopardy. Song Kai, the new president of the Football Association, has already expressed the idea of hiring a German coach. If Jankovic can't lead the national football team to a breakthrough, then the future of the national football team will be more uncertain.
Finally, in the face of the Singapore team with limited strength, the national football team must not take it lightly. We have lost many big tournaments in Asia in the past and we have to give it our all and prove our quality this time. CCTV sports channel CCTV5 will broadcast this crucial match live, let's wait and see if the national football team can beat the Singapore team away from home and prove its status in world football again. This is not only a game, but also a key battle for the honor and future of the national football team.