Redemption on the Pitch

China’s national football team finally got their revenge against Vietnam with a convincing 2-0 victory in yesterday’s friendly match. The win comes after their embarrassing loss to the same opponent during last year’s Lunar New Year celebrations - a result that still haunts many Chinese football fans.

Tactical Adjustments Pay Off

Coach Aleksandar Jankovic made several strategic changes that proved effective:

• Implemented a more compact midfield formation
• Rotated key players to maintain freshness
• Adjusted defensive lines to counter Vietnam’s quick transitions

The first half remained goalless despite both teams creating chances. Statistical analysis shows China maintained 58% possession but only converted it into 3 shots on target before halftime.

Breakthrough Moments

The deadlock was broken in the 63rd minute when Liu Yang’s precise cross found Wang Qiuming, who executed a perfect volley into the net. My tactical breakdown shows this was no accident - Wang had been making these late runs into the box all game.

Wu Lei sealed the victory in stoppage time with a classic counter-attacking goal. His pace and positioning perfectly exploited Vietnam’s pushed-up defensive line. The numbers confirm Wu’s efficiency - just one clear chance created but clinically finished.

Areas for Improvement

While the result is positive, my analysis reveals lingering concerns:

• Conversion rate remains low (2 goals from 12 shots)
• Defensive organization still vulnerable to quick breaks
• Lack of creativity in central midfield With World Cup qualifiers approaching, these issues need urgent attention.

Squad Selection Dilemmas

The match raised important questions about player selection:

• Should veterans make way for younger talent?
• Is there enough depth in key positions?
• How to balance immediate results with long-term development? These are tough decisions facing Jankovic in the coming months.