football

China’s men’s national football team opened the EAFF E-1 Championship with a 0-3 loss to South Korea. Observers criticized China’s performance, citing superior skill from South Korea and disappointing defensive tactics. China faces Japan next, with concerns about a repeat of their previous seven-goal defeat.

China’s Football Association launched an innovative player self-recommendation system, attracting over 25,000 registrations. The system, involving registration, information and technical data submission, and multi-stage screening, has already identified 303 promising players, including international talent. This initiative aims to broaden talent identification, enhance transparency, and combat corruption, signaling China’s serious football ambitions.

At the 2025 Summer Davos, JD.com founder Liu Qiangdong confirmed he will attend a Jiangsu City Football League (Su Chao) match. JD.com, a strategic league partner, has invested heavily in Suqian, Liu’s hometown. The company’s commitment includes event marketing, public fitness, and broadcast production. The Suqian team, currently in fifth place, is playing on June 29th, with expectations of Liu’s attendance adding further interest. JD.com’s investment in Suqian exceeds RMB 20 billion.

Heineken embraces football fan superstition ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final. The brand is sending a self-proclaimed “jinx,” Marco Simeone, to a remote bar to watch the game, reflecting the survey that shows widespread superstitious rituals among fans. This quirky campaign highlights fan beliefs and the passionate culture around the sport.