Germany: China U-20 team to face Regionalliga Südwest (4^th division) clubs in 2017-18

"In the 2017-18 season, the Chinese U-20 national team will face clubs in the Regionalliga Südwest (4^th division of German club football), providing an opportunity to develop their level of football. This is a model that the DFB and the Chinese Football Association are currently discussing within the framework of the official German-Chinese football partnership signed in November 2016," announced the German federation on 23/06/2017.

"The talks about the concrete model are still ongoing, and the corresponding contracts have not yet been signed. But it is already planned that the Chinese team will play a match against a Regionalliga Südwest club on each matchday of the league, without the result being taken into account in the official rankings of the season. This is made possible by the fact that this Regionalliga Südwest league consists of only 19 clubs, an odd number of teams," added the DFB.

Before entering into discussions with the Chinese federation, a consultation with the clubs playing in Regionalliga Südwest was made. "They have judged the experience positively," said Ronny…