New boss, new blood, same goals

"Our preparation window is extremely short," Djurdjevic noted. "Our focus is to maximize players' readiness and to efficiently instill our tactical approach. Facing strong opponents demands 100 percent focus from the start."

Ten of the 26 players selected for the tournament previously trained under him — a critical overlap that could help accelerate team chemistry in a compressed timeframe.

One such player is midfielder Gao Tianyi of Shanghai Shenhua, who praised the coach's clarity and adaptability.

"Having worked together before, I know his style and approach well, and I fully trust him," Gao said. "He tailors tactics to fit the specific characteristics of the players. I believe that, under his leadership, we will see a new chapter for Chinese football."

The 26-man roster announced by the Chinese Football Association on June 30 reflects a clear shift toward youth. Only four players are over the age of 30 — one of whom is Brazilian-born Serghino, or Sai Erjiniao as he's known in China. He is also the only naturalized player named in the squad.

With an average age of 25.4 years old, nearly half the squad is composed of players born after the year 2000 — a sign of long-term planning for the 2030 World Cup cycle.

"The selection process was relatively straightforward," Djurdjevic explained. "We chose players from an existing pool who fit our tactics and are in good form. After the setback of the World Cup qualifiers, this marks a fresh start. The door to the national team remains open; new talent will emerge based on performance."