China Under-20 team to play in German league

AFP, BEIJING: China's Under-20 team will play matches in the fourth tier of German football this season as part of a drive to ramp up the fortunes of the much-maligned national side.

China's Communist government, led by football fan President Xi Jinping, is throwing money at the sport in hopes of ending years of national underachievement.

Xi wants China to host and challenge for the World Cup one day, but before that Chinese football bosses are targeting success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

As part of the all-out effort, Chinese football authorities have been forging links with reigning world champions Germany and on Wednesday said the Under-20 side will compete in the German fourth tier.

“For the Chinese men's Under-20 team to be able to train in Germany and to compete in the Regionalliga Suedwest, it's an important opportunity for Chinese football to learn from German football,” the Chinese national side said in a statement.

China Under-20 team to play in German league

AFP, BEIJING: Chinas Under-20 team will play matches in the fourth tier of German football this season as part of a drive to ramp up the fortunes of the much-maligned national side. Chinas Communist government, led by football fan President Xi Jinping, is throwing money at the sport in hopes of ending years of national underachievement. Xi wants China to host and challenge for the World Cup one day, but before that Chinese football bosses are targeting success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. As part of the all-out effort, Chinese football authorities have been forging links with reigning world champions Germany and on Wednesday said the Under-20 side will compete in the German fourth tier. For the Chinese mens Under-20 team to be able to train in Germany and to compete in the Regionalliga Suedwest, its an important opportunity for Chinese football to learn from German football, the Chinese national side said in a statement.