Emergency Call-Up Details:

• Li Zhenquan (Chongqing Tonglianglong): Replaces injured naturalized player Serginho. He previously represented the U23 national team at the Asian Cup, where he delivered commendable performances.

• Li Yang (Chengdu Rongcheng): Replaces the injured Wei Zhen. However, Li Yang has not made a single appearance in the first three rounds of the Chinese Super League, raising questions among fans about his selection.

Selection Criteria Questioned:

Shao Jiayi had previously emphasized that “form” would be a key criterion for player selection. Yet Li Yang has not played a single minute this season, and goalkeeper Ma Zhen — who has also yet to feature for Shanghai Shenhua — has been called up for two consecutive camps. Fans are questioning: why not select Peng Xiao, the captain who performed well for the U23 team at the Asian Cup?

Nine U23 Players Selected, Building for 2030:

This squad includes nine U23 players, including Wang Yudong, Liu Chengyu, Kuai Jiwen, and others — all of whom participated in the U23 Asian Cup earlier this year. Shao Jiayi is clearly laying the groundwork for the 2030 World Cup.

Opponent Snapshot:

Curaçao has qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time, benefiting from the tournament’s expansion. The Caribbean island nation has a population of just 160,000, making it the smallest country by population to ever qualify for the World Cup. Curaçao currently ranks 81st in the FIFA world rankings, ahead of China’s 93rd. The team features several naturalized players and is considered a formidable opponent.

Match Time:
3:00 PM local time on March 27. Can China secure a winning start?