By hannover-web.com On the evening of October 15th, the Chinese national football team secured their first victory in the crucial World Cup qualifying round, hosting the match in Qingdao. The significance of this victory is palpable, evident in the tears of striker Zhang Yuning as he celebrated his goal.
This win provided a lifeline for a team that has been teetering on the brink, allowing them to grasp onto a glimmer of hope. As it stands, the Chinese team is still at the bottom of Group C, but they’re just two points shy of the second place.
After the match, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with fans singing “Ode to the Motherland.” Many observers noted that the team showed a much-needed fighting spirit that has been absent in previous games. As Zhang Yuning remarked, every player was like a warrior on the field.
Foreign media outlets have also expressed acknowledgment of China’s victory. Japan’s “Nikkan Sports” noted that with three consecutive losses leading up to this match, another defeat would have likely eliminated any hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. However, with this important win, they have breathed new life into their campaign. The report praised the team’s tight defense, especially in light of Indonesia’s ball possession dominance during the match.
Similarly, the Japanese outlet “Sponichi” analyzed the situation, recognizing that even with this long-awaited victory, China remains at the bottom of the group due to goal difference. However, they are only two points behind Australia, indicating that their prospects of qualifying for the World Cup are still alive and the competition for the second spot is intensifying.
South Korea’s “Seoul Sports” reported on Indonesia’s tough outing, suggesting that head coach Shin Tae-yong and his squad became the unfortunate victims of China’s first win. The article speculated that based on Indonesia’s previous three matches, they might have hoped for a victory or a draw, but ultimately fell short, thereby boosting China’s morale.
Indonesian fans still see a chance for their team to improve their standing in the group. While some are calling for revenge against China in the next round, others believe the primary focus should be on competing with Bahrain for the fourth spot in the group.
Indonesian VIVA described China’s counterattacks as punishing for Indonesia, labeling the defeat as a “disaster.” Another piece suggested that the team’s loss stemmed from significant changes made to the lineup by coach Shin. Despite dominating possession, Indonesia struggled with efficiency and had to come to terms with the painful reality of the defeat.
Looking ahead, the Chinese national team will face Bahrain on November 14th for their final match of the first round of qualifiers, as Bahrain currently sits fourth in the group with five points.
