Shao Jiayi shows bold authority! Five key national players benched for the entire match, sparking heated debate

In the second round of the FIFA international series, China faced a strong Cameroon side. A slow start proved costly, as Cameroon capitalized early opportunities to take a 2–0 lead.

In terms of tempo and physicality, Cameroon clearly operated on a higher level. Even without their full-strength squad, they fielded several players active in Europe’s top leagues, allowing them to dominate large stretches of the first half.

At halftime, head coach Shao Jiayi made key tactical adjustments, switching to a back-four system. The change brought noticeable improvement—China looked more organized defensively and more threatening going forward, preventing Cameroon from extending their lead.

China also created several promising chances. The closest came from Lin Liangming, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. His shot had both the angle and power, but lacked the final touch of luck to convert.

After 90 minutes, China ultimately fell 0–2. Meanwhile, rumors suggesting Shao Jiayi had secured three K-League MVP players for naturalization have been officially dismissed as false.

Notably, five players did not feature in the series: Ma Zhen, Liu Dianzuo, Li Zhenquan, Huang Zhengyu, and Li Yang. The absence of Ma and Liu is understandable due to the nature of the goalkeeper position, while the others could have potentially been given minutes but were not utilized.

Shao’s decisions likely reflected tactical priorities and in-game judgment. With the next training camp scheduled for June, expectations remain that the team will continue to improve.

For those who did not play, strong performances in the domestic league and training could still open the door for future opportunities with the national team.