China Faces Setback with Key Player Losses in World Cup Qualifier Against Saudi Arabia
China suffered a 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in a recent World Cup qualifying match, losing key players to injury and a red card. The team remains at the bottom of Group C with six points. Coach Branko Ivankovic praised the team’s effort despite the challenges they faced, indicating a need to regroup ahead of upcoming matches.
In the recent FIFA World Cup qualifying match held in Riyadh on March 20, 2025, China faced a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia under the guidance of head coach Branko Ivankovic. The match proved to be especially challenging for China as they lost three key players due to injuries. Defenders Jiang Guangtai and Gao Zhunyi were forced to exit the match with muscle injuries, while Lin Liangming received a red card for a reckless challenge.
Following this defeat, China finds itself at the bottom of Group C with only six points after seven matches. As they prepare for their next fixtures, which include a home match against Australia and games against Indonesia and Bahrain, the absence of the injured players complicates their outlook. Despite the disheartening results, Coach Ivankovic expressed pride in his team’s effort, especially given they played with ten men for the entirety of the second half.
China’s performance against Saudi Arabia highlighted the difficulties they faced, as the team has historically struggled in away matches against their Middle Eastern opponents, managing only two draws out of five visits. Additionally, FIFA’s ranking places Saudi Arabia significantly ahead at No. 59, compared to China’s No. 90, indicating the competitive gap between the two teams. Saudi Arabia’s only goal came early in the second half through Salem Al Dawsari, capitalizing on a rebound after a save from China’s goalkeeper Wang Dalei.
Despite dominating possession, Saudi Arabia struggled to convert opportunities, notably having a first-half goal negated by VAR. Following the match, Ivankovic acknowledged the challenges ahead due to the injuries sustained by Jiang and Gao, expressing the need for assessment within the next 24 hours, as muscle injuries typically require more time for recovery. With these constraints, the upcoming matches will pose a significant test for the Chinese squad as they strive to improve their standing in the qualification process.
China’s loss to Saudi Arabia not only represents a setback in their World Cup qualifying campaign but also raises concerns surrounding key player injuries that will impact their upcoming matches. Coach Ivankovic’s commendation of his team’s fight amidst adversity reflects the determination of the squad. The team’s immediate focus will shift to preparing for their upcoming matches against Australia and other competitors, where they seek to reverse their fortunes and secure vital points in the qualification standings.
Original Source: english.news.cn
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