China recalls player who contributed to loss against Vietnam U23 team

Coach Antonio Puche sparks controversy by recalling Wang Shiqin, who previously made errors leading to China U23's defeat against Vietnam U23.

In preparation for the 2026 Asian Games, China's U23 team has announced its squad for the international four-team tournament in Xi'an, featuring several notable players. However, public attention is focused on Coach Antonio Puche's controversial decision.

For this training camp, China U23 has called up many young talents performing well domestically, such as Yao Haoyang, Mao Weijie, and Li Xinxiang. Among them, Yao Haoyang is expected to quickly secure a starting position due to his impressive performances for Chongqing Club recently.

Additionally, some players from Shandong Taishan, like Imuran Maimaiti and Shi Songchen, have also been given the chance to return to the national team, despite limited playing time in this season's domestic league. The promotion of several key players to the senior national team forces Coach Antonio to experiment with new options.

Nevertheless, the most heated debate among fans revolves around the return of Wang Shiqin. The midfielder from Zhejiang Club was previously dropped from the team after a series of forgettable mistakes. He faced controversy during the 2025 Panda Cup when his unsafe clearance in the match against Vietnam U23 contributed to the team's defeat.

Moreover, Wang Shiqin received a red card in the match against Uzbekistan, severely damaging his personal image and making him a focal point of criticism from both media and fans.

However, after being excluded for a period, this midfielder has gradually regained form through stable performances in domestic competitions. The fact that he has been given another opportunity by Coach Antonio shows the coaching staff still believes in his potential, despite past controversies.

Therefore, the four-team tournament in Xi'an is not only a preparatory step for China U23, but also an opportunity for Wang Shiqin to "redeem himself" and reaffirm his value. If he capitalizes on this chance, he could fully reestablish himself as a key figure in the young Chinese team's quest for major goals in 2026.