dexinwin October 2, 2026
Former China international Sun Jihai has criticized the Chinese national team’s defensive execution following its 3-0 friendly defeat to New Zealand, arguing that some of the goals conceded were not simply the result of a gap in overall quality, but also of players failing to follow basic defensive principles.
Speaking on a Migu Sports program after the match, Sun said the difference in overall strength between the two sides was a factor, but he believed China had also made a series of fundamental mistakes during the game.
According to Sun, some players failed to carry out basic defensive instructions that footballers are expected to learn from an early age. He specifically referred to principles such as protecting the inside channel while allowing the opponent to move toward the outside, as well as positioning a defender’s body correctly in relation to an attacking player.
Sun argued that these details were visible in several of New Zealand’s attacks and in the goals China conceded.
More Than a Difference in Quality
The 3-0 defeat naturally renewed discussion about the difference in quality between China and stronger international opponents. Sun, however, focused much of his analysis on individual execution.
In football, defensive organization depends not only on tactical instructions from the coaching staff but also on players’ ability to recognize situations and execute basic movements under pressure.
A defender must decide when to press, when to protect the central area, how to influence the opponent’s direction of movement and how to maintain an appropriate body position. When these fundamentals break down, even a well-designed defensive system can be exposed.
Sun’s comments therefore went beyond simply attributing the result to a difference in overall strength. He acknowledged that such a gap existed while arguing that some of China’s problems could have been avoided through better execution of basic principles.
Why Basic Defensive Principles Matter
Instructions such as protecting the inside channel and forcing an attacker toward the outside may sound simple, but executing them consistently at international level is considerably more difficult.
Modern football is played at high speed, with attackers constantly changing their positioning and teammates rotating around them. A defender who moves too early toward the flank, for example, can create space in the center. Poor body orientation can also make it difficult to monitor both the ball carrier and runners behind the defensive line.
These are precisely the types of habits that are normally developed through long-term training.
Sun has also spoken publicly in recent years about the importance of youth development in Chinese football. In previous interviews, he has emphasized the connection between youth development and the quality of the national team, arguing that a strong national team requires a solid development system capable of producing players with sufficient technical foundations.
The Lessons Behind the Scoreline
The 3-0 result against New Zealand cannot be changed, but the details exposed during the match provide material for further review.
When facing an opponent with greater speed, physical strength or technical quality, small defensive mistakes can quickly become decisive. A poor position, a delayed reaction or an incorrect body angle that might go unnoticed in domestic competition can create a clear scoring opportunity at international level.
That is why Sun’s comments focused on more than the final score. His criticism centered on whether players can consistently apply fundamental football principles when placed under intense pressure.
For China, the challenge after the defeat is therefore not only to assess the difference in overall quality with its opponents, but also to examine individual positioning, defensive habits and technical execution. Those details form part of the longer-term process of improving the national team and the player-development system behind it.
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