The crisis against the Chinese national team continues. Now, there is even a possibility that head coach Branko Ivankovic will leave.
China's Sohu reported on the 2nd (Korea time) 'Even the hope that the Chinese national team can now take fourth place shakes like a candle in front of the wind'
Sohu said 'Ivankovic is under tremendous pressure. He openly expressed his frustration. He also pointed out that the players are not in good condition at the stadium. In the current situation, China is on the verge of elimination from the World Cup. Coach Ivankovic's position has also begun to become unstable due to this death. His current position is relatively stable, and the Chinese Football Association has no plans to replace him immediately. However, this is not the fact that he can rest.
Then 'Iraq recently decided to replace Jesus Casas. According to Iraqi media, the Iraqi Football Association currently has three coaches, including Ivankovic, as candidates. Iraq can also afford to pay a penalty for Ivankovic's dismissal, so it now depends on whether Ivankovic is willing to leave China and join Iraq. It is dangerous to change the coach of the Chinese national team at such an important time,' he said, explaining that the Chinese national team is on the verge of leaving the team ahead of its final challenge.
China, which sought to advance to the World Cup finals for the first time in 14 years since the 2002 World Cup Korea-Japan, is likely to be eliminated from the World Cup finals in the third Asian qualifying round. Both Game 7 and Game 8 in March were defeated, staying at the bottom of Group C with two wins and six losses. It is difficult to guarantee victory in the remaining schedule with Indonesia in fourth place and Bahrain in fifth place, although it is necessary to raise the ranking to fourth place to continue hope until the fourth qualifying round.
In this situation, if coach Ivankovic leaves, even the leader who will lead the team until the A-match in June will disappear immediately. This is news that hopes are bound to be completely dashed.
Iraq has reportedly dismissed Casas, who was previously mentioned as a candidate for the Korean national team, and is looking for a new coach candidate, and Ivankovic also seems to have been nominated. Iraq is currently third in Group B and is likely to continue its hopes until the fourth qualifying round. If Ivankovic can't expect much from China, going to Iraq could be more attractive.
Sohu said 'China has only two months left until June when its birthplace is at stake. If a new coach has to come and adapt to the team and develop a strategy during such a short period of time, this challenge will undoubtedly be a huge risk if the coach leaves the team, he said.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
