A nightmare start for China’s national team! Some commentators noted that “gaining international exposure can be beneficial,” but the switch to a five-defender formation left players confused, disrupting rhythm and drawing criticism.

In the second round of the international friendly series, China conceded two goals within the opening nine minutes against Cameroon, falling 0–2 early and drawing widespread criticism from media and analysts.

Head coach Shao Jiayi deployed a 5-4-1 formation, but the team struggled to cope with Cameroon’s physicality and pace. The early goals exposed weaknesses in defensive coordination, intensity, and focus.

Journalist Pei Li pointed out that Chinese players appeared overwhelmed in physical duels, highlighting a clear gap in strength and adaptation. Shen Wei added that Cameroon’s playing style and technical approach are rarely encountered by China, suggesting that such matches are valuable learning experiences.

Commentator Yuan Jia noted that the team has yet to fully adapt to the five-man defensive system, with early confusion evident. He emphasized the need for experienced players to stabilize the team under pressure. Analyst Miao Yuan echoed similar concerns, identifying defensive lapses at both near-post and far-post positions, while also acknowledging Cameroon’s superior tempo and cohesion.

Song Chengliang further criticized the lack of coordination among the three central defenders, pointing to unclear roles and insufficient cover as key issues behind the conceded goals.

Meanwhile, some opinions focused on mentality. Blogger Yue Zhi argued that the team lacked urgency and intensity, particularly in defensive marking during set pieces. He stressed that against physically dominant opponents, even minor lapses can be punished immediately.

Overall, the match highlighted not only tactical shortcomings but also issues in system adaptation and match concentration.