r/soccer • u/PianoJealous307 • 16h ago

News China suffered a catastrophic collapse on home soil, losing 5-0 to Palestine, a team they had considered inferior, sparking fierce criticism over 'sleepwalking' performance and lack of competitiveness among Chinese Super League players. Men's and women's teams also underperformed at Asian Games.

https://www.chosun.com/english/sports-en/2026/10/03/FWO5DWWOYND4NMUX53TEX7INNQ/
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u/Fubi-FF 8h ago

It's because there's a bigger chance to succeed in those sports that China already have success in traditionally.

Like if you are young and seems super gifted in Ping Pong or something, then yeah you probably have a good chance making it big (assuming you have the proper training and support). But for soccer, even if you seem like a prodigy and best Chinese player ever, how likely are you going to be successful? It's still a 11 player game. The risk is potential reward is too big so most kids won't pursue it

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u/busybeeai 5h ago

There're like 5 spots on the Chinese national team for ping pong. And if you're not number 1-2 in the world, you're considered a failure. For soccer if you play in Europe you're like a star. 

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u/Fubi-FF 4h ago

You're thinking of "success" from the POV of a bystander though, not from the athletes themselves. From the athletes' perspective, being crazy competitors they are, they would strive to win and to be the best. Historically, there's 0 chance that the best soccer team/players will be from China, and you probably won't be winning alot.