The comparison leads many fans to revive the century-old Chinese concept that sporting weakness reflects a weak society the idea that China will not be able to fully cast off its identity as the "sick man of East Asia" until its soccer players triumph on the pitch. 这种比较使许多球迷回想起中国一种存在了百年的观念,即体育上的弱势反映了社会的软弱如果足球队不能在球场上获胜,中国就无法完全摆脱其“东亚病夫”的身份。