is this really team china playing? we actually blocked a penalty and scored a deflection! team china never was this lucky!
Lucky goal but well deserved victory. Strong defensive display bar the penalty, good offensive showing aswell
Nice win for China!!! Next match is against Uzbekistan in about three days. A draw against them and a win against North Korea would be good!
Yu Hai is the kind of player who just somehow there the right place the right time, and this time someone else is there for him the right place the right time And happy for Wang Dalei. Judging by the way he carries himself now, it looks like he's finally ready for the big time.
and the birthday boy speaks: http://www.the-afc.com/china-pr-asian-cup-2015/birthday-boy-wang-savours-china-victory btw on instagram, wang dalei has been practicing free kick. let's hope he becomes the first goalkeeper to score a goal in asian cup.
China 1-0 Saudi Arabia highlights: http://video.sina.com.cn/p/sports/n/v/2015-01-10/190864493867.html
It was a great win and a decent performance, but now that the hype has somewhat settled, it's time to do some analysis. Perrin continues to experiment with players out of position, which i'm not too sure is a good idea now that the tournament has actually started. Mei Fang looked lost as a LB, he was easily shut down too often because he has no left foot and isn't that technically gifted, I thought Jiang Zhipeng was a given starter after his performances in the friendlies. Ji Xiang on the right wing was also a bit wierd given our many better options. Ji Xiang did ok, but he was overshadowed by Zhang Chengdong who ran the whole right side, and if the RB does more offensively and defensively than the RW you gotta ask yourself some questions. Wu Lei was invisible the whole game, he has shown today and in the friendlies that he isn't suited as a CAM. His strength is dribbling facing the oppositions goal and his finishing, which isn't utilised when he's playing as a CAM. He does not look comfortable with his back against the goal and linking up with the CMs, so I'd rather push him out on the LW and put Hao Junmin as a CAM who's much more comfortable on the ball and isn't afraid to fall back to collect the ball. Hao Junmin on the other hand looks unfit, he was very good on the ball but he looked quite slow and physically weak today. He was dispossessed and pushed off the ball too easily today. Lastly the two CBs, Zhang Linpeng has grown and grown as a CB, he gets better every game and has settled in nicely. He doesn't push forward as much and is comfortable on the ball and his positioning and awareness is getting much better. Not to mention his strength in the air. Ren Hang on the other hand still has a bit to go, he still thinks and acts as a fullback as you can see in his tackles and his playstyle, he takes alot of risks which isn't somehing you want from a CB. However he just started recently as a CB so I can't really blame him. Perrin still baffles me with his selections, we all have critised him for it and I think leaving some of the people out that he did will most likely come and bite him in the ass, but we must all agree that he does bring out alot from the players that he did choose.
^I don't think there is a single other coach out there who would have put Mei Fang as left back (wtf was he thinking?). The defense did alright but still makes me cringe seeing three fullbacks and a winger as the back four. That being said, Zhang Linpeng was alright and no doubt the anchor of that back line. I think Yu Hai deserves another start but instead of Ji Xiang, I want to see someone like Liu Binbin or Sun Ke get a chance.
Isn't Liao Lisheng a full-back? I remember he was playing well for Evergrande. I'd rather have him or Jiang Zhipeng at LB. And I agree. Liu Binbin at LW with Hao Junmin in the middle and Wu Lei at right.