With the excitement building among football fans and Melbet App Download users alike, China’s national team has officially secured direct qualification for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. This development comes as regional powerhouses South Korea and Japan announced their respective squads for the East Asian Cup. While the tournament is not scheduled during a FIFA international window and most teams are composed of domestic league players, the event still carries weight by contributing to FIFA ranking points—making it a battleground that no team takes lightly.
Given the formidable lineup in the China Cup, featuring top-tier teams like Uruguay, Czech Republic, and Wales, expectations for China to win or even draw are realistically low. As a result, the East Asian Cup has become a critical opportunity for the national team to secure valuable points. South Korea’s squad, for instance, includes Chinese Super League players Kwon Kyung-won and Jung Woo-young, while most others come from the K League and J League. Notably, players like Son Heung-min and Ki Sung-yueng, who compete in Europe, were left out. Former Guangzhou R&F defender Jang Hyun-soo has made the cut, while coach Shin Tae-yong opted for a domestic-focused roster.
Despite a brief stint where China’s FIFA ranking climbed above South Korea due to Korea’s poor form earlier in the year, strong results in November friendlies saw Korea reclaim the lead. In their opening East Asian Cup clash, China and Korea will face off with near full-strength lineups, making it a true test of regional supremacy. Meanwhile, Japan’s squad is entirely composed of J League talent. Heavyweights like Kashima Antlers and Gamba Osaka each contributed six players, while reigning AFC Champions League winners Urawa Reds excluded their players due to FIFA Club World Cup obligations.
As hosts of this year’s East Asian Cup, Japan sees the tournament as a final dress rehearsal before the World Cup. Coach Vahid Halilhodžić has stated that his objective is nothing short of winning the title, encouraging his players to give everything they’ve got and fight for their place on the global stage. For Melbet App Download users tracking international performance metrics, the tournament’s outcome could shift rankings significantly and impact seeding in future tournaments.
China’s head coach Marcello Lippi has taken a bold approach by fielding a younger squad, using the East Asian Cup as a testing ground for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. This strategy not only offers valuable playing time to newcomers but also gives veterans a much-needed break. It’s a move only someone of Lippi’s stature could confidently make without facing backlash. Two years ago in Wuhan, Japan finished bottom of the East Asian Cup standings with two draws and one loss. Now on home soil, they are eager to rewrite that chapter.
With high stakes on and off the pitch, Melbet App Download followers can expect this tournament to be more than just a warm-up—it’s a proving ground for Asia’s top footballing nations. As China looks to strengthen its squad depth and tactical cohesion ahead of the continental showdown, this direct qualification gives them a head start in preparation.