China's 'Sleepwalking' Performance Against Korea's Second Team Sparks Brutal Media Criticism

The Harsh Reality Check: China's Dismal East Asian Cup Performance

The 2025 East Asian Cup has become a wake-up call for Chinese football, with the national team's performance described as nothing short of catastrophic by domestic media. Chinese outlet Sohu.com delivered scathing criticism following China's disappointing campaign, where they managed just one victory against Hong Kong after suffering humiliating defeats to both Korea and Japan. The tournament results painted a grim picture of Chinese football's current state, with the team finishing third out of four participants with a mere three points from one win and two losses. What made the defeats particularly painful for Chinese fans was that both Korea and Japan fielded what were essentially reserve squads, with most European-based players absent from their lineups.

The Chinese media's assessment was brutal in its honesty. Sohu.com described the team's performance against Korea as resembling 'sleepwalking patients who relied only on instinct throughout the match'. This metaphor struck a chord with fans who witnessed their team's lackluster display against what many considered Korea's second or third-tier squad. The criticism extended beyond mere results to fundamental issues with the team's preparation, tactical awareness, and overall football intelligence.

Breaking Down the Korea Disaster: A 0-3 Humiliation

The opening match against Korea on July 10, 2025, became a defining moment of shame for Chinese football. Despite facing a Korean team primarily composed of K-League players without their European stars, China suffered a comprehensive 0-3 defeat that exposed their technical and tactical deficiencies. The match was particularly significant as it was broadcast live on CCTV after more than a year, meaning the entire Chinese nation witnessed their team's humiliation. Korean goals came from Lee Dong-gyeong in the 8th minute, Joo Min-kyu in the 21st minute, and Kim Joo-sung in the 57th minute, with China unable to mount any meaningful response.

Statistical analysis revealed the extent of China's struggles. They managed only 5 shots throughout the match with zero shots on target, while Korea converted 7 of their 15 attempts into dangerous efforts. Chinese commentator Liu Jianhong's post-match assessment was particularly damning, stating that 'Korean football is top-tier in Asia, while Chinese football is third-tier'. The defeat sparked immediate controversy when Chinese media attempted to spin the loss as a 'moral victory' due to fewer fouls committed, prompting angry reactions from fans who accused the media of displaying typical 'A-Q mentality' - a reference to self-deceptive psychological defense mechanisms.

Japan Compounds the Misery: Another Shutout Loss

If the Korea defeat was painful, the subsequent 0-2 loss to Japan on July 12 confirmed Chinese football's rock-bottom status. Japan, like Korea, fielded a predominantly domestic-based squad but still managed to outclass China comprehensively. The loss meant China had gone two consecutive matches without scoring a single goal, highlighting their attacking impotence against even reserve-strength opposition. The defeat to Japan was particularly galling given that Chinese fans had hoped for at least a competitive showing after the Korea debacle.

The psychological impact of consecutive shutout losses cannot be overstated. Chinese media noted that the team's confidence appeared shattered, with players unable to execute basic tactical instructions or maintain positional discipline. Social media erupted with fan frustration, with many questioning whether Chinese football had reached its nadir. The performance against Japan reinforced the narrative that China was no longer competitive even against Asian neighbors' reserve teams, a reality that sent shockwaves through the Chinese football community.

Hong Kong Victory: Too Little, Too Late

China's 1-0 victory against Hong Kong in their final match provided little solace for what had been a tournament to forget. Huang Zhengyu's 20th-minute goal secured China's only points of the tournament, but the narrow margin of victory against a team considered weaker than themselves only added to the embarrassment. Chinese media reported that this goal was remarkably the Chinese national team's first field goal of 2025, a statistic that underscored the team's attacking struggles throughout the year.

The victory celebration was notably muted, with interim coach Dejan Djurdjevic acknowledging that the tournament had provided 'valuable experience against strong opponents' but stopping short of declaring any satisfaction with the overall performance. Fan reactions were mixed, with some expressing relief at avoiding a complete tournament shutout while others pointed out that struggling against Hong Kong only reinforced China's diminished status in Asian football. The narrow victory margin also raised concerns about China's ability to compete against even lower-ranked Asian teams.

Media Backlash and Fan Fury: The Aftermath

The Chinese media's response to the East Asian Cup debacle was swift and unforgiving. Sohu.com led the charge with articles describing the team's performance as 'unacceptable' and calling for immediate coaching changes. The criticism extended beyond mere tactical failings to fundamental questions about Chinese football's development pathway and player quality. NetEase reported that 'the East Asian Cup helped clarify the position of the Chinese national team' - firmly establishing them as a third-tier Asian football nation.

Fan reactions on social media platforms like Weibo were even more brutal than official media coverage. Comments ranged from calls to 'ban football entirely' to descriptions of the national team as 'a national disgrace'. The excessive luggage controversy, where players were photographed with numerous suitcases at the airport, became a symbol of misplaced priorities and drew further ridicule from supporters. The incident prompted the team to issue defensive statements about equipment requirements, but the damage to their public image was already done.

The Coaching Carousel: Djurdjevic's Brief Tenure

Interim coach Dejan Djurdjevic's appointment was always intended as a temporary solution following Branko Ivankovic's dismissal after World Cup qualification failure. The Serbian coach, who had previously led China's U-20 team, was tasked with steadying the ship during the East Asian Cup while the Chinese Football Association searched for a permanent replacement. However, the tournament results only reinforced the need for immediate change, with Djurdjevic returning to his youth team role immediately after the Hong Kong match.

Djurdjevic's tactical approach came under scrutiny, particularly his team's over-reliance on wide play and inability to create central attacking opportunities. Chinese media noted that the team appeared unprepared for the intensity and organization of both Korean and Japanese opposition, suggesting fundamental issues with match preparation and tactical analysis. The interim coach's post-match comments were diplomatically measured, but privately, Chinese Football Association officials were reportedly deeply disappointed with the team's regression under his guidance.

Paulo Bento: The Salvation or Another False Dawn?

The search for a new permanent coach has intensified following the East Asian Cup disaster, with Paulo Bento emerging as the leading candidate for the position. The Portuguese coach's experience with Korean football from 2018-2022, during which he led the team to the 2022 World Cup Round of 16, has made him an attractive option for Chinese officials seeking someone familiar with Asian football dynamics. Bento's availability following his dismissal from the UAE national team in March 2025 has accelerated Chinese interest in his services.

However, Bento's potential appointment is not without controversy. His previous stint with Chinese club Chongqing Lifan in 2017 ended in dismissal after just one season, raising questions about his suitability for Chinese football culture. Additionally, his recent struggles with the UAE, where the team was eliminated in the Asian Cup Round of 16 on penalties, have led some to question whether he represents the transformative figure Chinese football desperately needs. Chinese media has noted that regardless of coaching appointments, fundamental issues with player development and domestic league quality must be addressed for any meaningful improvement to occur.