China Faces Setback in World Cup Qualifying Match Against Saudi Arabia
China’s national football team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia, resulting in injuries to defenders Jiang Guangtai and Gao Zhunyi and a red card for Lin Liangming. This leaves China at the bottom of Group C with six points after seven matches. Despite the defeat, there is a focus on the upcoming match against Australia. Captain Wang Dalei expressed hope for qualification, while coach Ivankovic acknowledged the difficulties faced during the match.
China’s national football team faced a setback in their FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Saudi Arabia, departing with a 1-0 loss and losing three key players. Head coach Branko Ivankovic aimed for a vital point but instead, saw defenders Jiang Guangtai and Gao Zhunyi leave the match due to muscle injuries, and Lin Liangming receive a red card for a reckless challenge on Saudi defender Hassan Kadish.
After seven matches, China finds itself at the bottom of Group C with a total of six points. Upcoming fixtures include a home match against Australia next Tuesday, followed by an away game in Indonesia, and a final home match against Bahrain in June. Despite being down to ten men for the entire second half, Ivankovic commended the effort of his players.
“Saudi Arabia is a very strong team, they’ve played in many World Cups,” Ivankovic remarked, acknowledging the challenges they faced in the latter part of the match. “Given the circumstances, it was difficult for us to do more.” Historically, China has struggled against Saudi Arabia on their turf, with only two draws in five previous encounters.
The match’s only goal came five minutes into the second half from Salem Al Dawsari, following a rebound after a save from China’s goalkeeper Wang Dalei. China faced further adversity when Lin Liangming was sent off just before halftime due to a severe foul on Kadish, who required medical attention.
Saudi Arabia had the majority of possession but found it hard to convert chances into goals; a disallowed goal by Faisal Al Ghamdi due to VAR intervention added to their frustrations. After the match, China immediately returned to prepare for their upcoming game against Australia, who had previously defeated them 3-1 last October.
Regarding the injuries of Jiang and Gao, Ivankovic noted, “We need 24 hours to assess the injuries. But from our experience, if it’s a muscle issue, it will be difficult for them to play.” Despite the defeat, team captain and goalkeeper Wang Dalei remained optimistic about their chances for qualification, highlighting that opportunities remain because both Bahrain and Indonesia have also suffered losses.
Defender Jiang Shenglong emphasized the need for resilience, aiming to contribute to the team’s successes throughout the remaining qualifiers. He acknowledged that the initial momentum was disrupted by the red card, categorizing it as an unfortunate accident that altered the game’s dynamics. The team looks ahead to their match against Australia in Hangzhou, hoping to secure a much-needed victory.
In conclusion, China’s defeat against Saudi Arabia in the World Cup qualifiers highlighted significant challenges, including injuries to key players and a critical red card. While currently positioned at the bottom of Group C, there remains a degree of optimism surrounding their chances for qualification. With crucial matches ahead, the focus now shifts to recovering from this setback and preparing adequately for the upcoming encounters, particularly against Australia.
Original Source: www.chinadailyasia.com
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