Team China greet their fans after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
China's 1-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday night rekindled the country's qualification hopes for the 2018 World Cup, and represents an early success in China's national soccer reform push that began in 2015, and shows that the foundations are being laid for future success.
China's soccer reform aims to transform the country into a world soccer powerhouse by 2050. Chinese Football Association (CFA) head Cai Zhenhua believes the reform is starting to show results, but says tough tasks remain on the road ahead.
CFA'S SELF-REFORM STARTS THE ENGINE
China's surprise victory over South Korea is the product of self-starting intuitional reform on the part of the country's soccer organs. A major milestone in this reform was the CFA's being granted independence from government.
The shift saw the CFA transform from a governmental body into a societal one, and ushered in changes in the organization's management and functions. It launched a historic recruitment drive in a bid to professionalize the league. As of now, 75 percent of regional football associations around the country have become independent from local governments.
The CFA is now organizing a "big national team system", grouping together preparatory teams for different age groups including U23, U22 and U19, in addition to the current national team.
Liu Dianqiu, director of the CFA national team managing department, told Xinhua that the preparatory team won't attend big events, but will train and take part in invitationals. The U22 team members can also play games while representing different clubs.
The CFA will introduce coaches from Italian legend Marcello Lippi's group to U22 team, which is expected to achieve a more unified management, organization and technical style with the national team.
The CFA also plans to choose a technical director to manage the technical development of Chinese soccer. Lippi is assumed to be a top candidate, and is expected to make plans for youth training and grassroots soccer.
SOCCER INDUSTRY SOARING
The 2016-2020 television rights to the Chinese Super League (CSL) were sold at a stunning 8 billion yuan, and CSL broadcasts now reach 96 countries and regions around the world. More capital is flowing into the league in the form of team sponsorships.
