China’s hopes for the 2026 World Cup diminished after a 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia, placing them at the bottom of Group C. Japan has already qualified for the finals. China will next face Australia following this setback.

China’s aspirations for the 2026 World Cup faced a significant setback following a narrow 1-0 defeat in a pivotal qualifier against Saudi Arabia. This loss came as Japan secured their position as the first nation to qualify for the tournament, amplifying the stakes for China as they linger at the bottom of Group C.

In the first half of the match in Riyadh, Branko Ivankovic’s squad held their ground, entering halftime with a score of 0-0. However, they suffered a critical blow when Lin Liangming was shown a red card for dangerous play during stoppage time, drastically altering the dynamics of the match.

The turning point arose shortly after the break when Salem Aldawsari netted the decisive goal for Saudi Arabia just five minutes into the second half. This defeat leaves China tied on points with Indonesia, who occupy fourth place, and Bahrain in fifth. China’s next challenge will be against Australia, currently in second place, who recently dominated Indonesia with a striking 5-1 victory.

In summary, China’s quest for World Cup qualification has been significantly hampered by their recent loss to Saudi Arabia. With the team currently at the bottom of their group, they must swiftly regroup to face the formidable Australian squad in their upcoming match. As Japan’s qualification solidifies their position, the pressure mounts on China to improve their standings in the remaining fixtures.

Original Source: www.scmp.com

Related posts:

Saudi Arabia vs China FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Live Streaming Details China Faces Setbacks in World Cup Qualifier Against Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Defeats 10-Man China 1-0 in AFC World Cup Qualifying Saudi Arabia Revives World Cup Dreams with Victory Over China