Two prodigies out from the 23-player squad

Among the 27 players in the initial list, Wang Yudong, Liu Chengyu, Wang Zhen'ao, and Cheng Jin were ultimately left out of the squad, though Wang Yudong and Liu Chengyu, the two 18-year-old prodigies, had been widely anticipated. Serginho, assigned No. 17 shirt, could make his debut.