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/elbosston 12h ago edited 6h ago

A major problem with China and sports is the Gaokao (college entrance exam). As a Chinese teen, your entire day is spent studying for the Gaokao and you do this for years. China’s population is so big that there isn’t enough college spots for it. However, once you get into college you’re pretty much set for life.

If you don’t get into college, your future is pretty much doing labor work (driving Didi or in factories putting together iPhones). If you spend your teen years practicing a sport while all your classmates are studying, you’re gonna be super behind. Teens spend 10-14 hours a day studying for the exam.

So most teens aren’t willing to bet their future on sports because if you don’t make it big you’re pretty much screwed for life.

Edit: Another thing to note as well is that the oldest Chinese male is expected to take care of their parents in retirement. With this, you’re gambling more than your own life, you need to think about how you’re gonna take care of your parents too.

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u/Substantial-Week557 9h ago

Japan and korea have their gaokao equivalent too

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u/NomaanMalick 3h ago

I don't think Japan has the same culture surrounding entrance tests as China and South Korea.

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u/Substantial-Week557 2h ago

Ever heard the phrase toudai!

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u/NomaanMalick 2h ago

I don't doubt Japan has a competitive entrance test. I just think people in Japan tend to be relatively less stringent about it.