Looking at the latest FIFA rankings in 2024, the national football team has slipped 9 places, ranking 88th in the world and 13th in Asia, and this news makes me and other fans have mixed feelings. Our football team, which used to have a good position in Asia, has now slipped into the third rate. In the recent Asian Cup, the performance of the national football team was even more chilling, with 2 draws and 1 loss in the group stage, and even qualifying became a luxury.
I remember that in the past, we were most afraid of Asian teams such as Japan and South Korea, but now, it is difficult for us to win even Tajikistan and Lebanon, let alone compete with teams like Qatar. This change is not only a decline in strength, but also a matter of mentality and tactics.
The biggest problem facing the national football team now is the choice of the coach. If Jankovic does step down, the choice of the new coach will be related to the future of the national football team. Moreover, next month, the national football team will face a two-legged key battle in Singapore, although the opponent is not strong, but considering the current morale and state of the national football team, there is really no guarantee that they can get all 6 points.
The 2026 World Cup has been expanded, and Asia has 85 places, theoretically an opportunity, but given the current situation of the national football team, this "opportunity" does not seem to belong to us. FIFA's good intentions, for us, I'm afraid it was another empty joy.
As an ordinary fan, I hope that the national football team can find the problem as soon as possible, not as simple as changing the coach, but fundamentally reforming, from youth training to tactical concepts, all need to be thoroughly rethought and rebuilt. Don't always think about finding shortcuts, or dream of reaching the World Cup finals as soon as possible, at this time, what we need is to be down-to-earth and take one step at a time.
Seeing the situation of the national football team, we, as fans, are inevitably disappointed, but at the same time, we are more eager to see change. I hope that the national football team can find itself and stand up again in future games, so that we have reason to be proud of them.