China's National Team Suffers 0-2 Defeat to Australia in World Cup Qualifier

At 7 p.m. Beijing time on the 25th, in the eighth round of the 18-team Asian qualifying round for the World Cup, China's national team hosted Australia at home. After a 90-minute battle, China's team lost 0-2 to Australia at the home stadium in Hangzhou. The pressure to advance to the play-offs has further increased, and there is no room for error for the Chinese national team. The next two matches cannot be lost.

Although the matches between Indonesia and Bahrain in the same group have not started yet, the Chinese national team still ranks at the bottom after the defeat.

Currently, a draw between Indonesia and Bahrain is the most favorable situation for the Chinese national team. Meanwhile, due to a large deficit in goal difference, if the Chinese national team loses the upcoming away match against Indonesia, they will be eliminated in advance. There were 70,588 spectators at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center for this match, setting a new attendance record for Chinese football matches. Unfortunately, these record - breaking spectators did not see the team gain any points.

After the first seven rounds, Japan has already advanced ahead of schedule with 19 points from 6 wins and 1 draw. Australia is second with 10 points, Saudi Arabia is third with 9 points, and Indonesia, Bahrain, and China all have 6 points. Since the Chinese team is already 4 points behind Australia, losing this match means they definitely cannot secure the second - place spot, which is a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

In terms of the starting lineup, Ivankovic continued with the grouping from the public training on the evening of the 23rd. Ivankovic still adopted a diamond - shaped midfield system. The goalkeeper was Wang Dalei, the four defenders were Gao Zhunyi, Han Pengfei, Jiang Shenglong, and Li Lei. The defensive midfielders were Huang Zhengyu, in front of them were Xu Haoyang and Xie Wenneng, the attacking midfielder was Cao Yongjing, and the two strikers were Wei Shihao and Zhang Yuning. Sergio and Wang Yudong, two players highly sought after by fans, remained on the bench.

The estimated value of the starting line - up of the Chinese national team was 5.575 million euros, while that of Australia was almost twice as much, reaching 11.45 million euros. According to FIFA rankings, the Chinese national team is ranked 90th, while Australia is ranked 26th. The Chinese national team has 1 draw and 3 losses in the previous four matches against Australia. The last time the Chinese national team defeated Australia in a major tournament was back in June 2008. In the final group stage match of the World Cup, they won 1 - 0 away with a long - range shot from Sun Xiang. However, in that match, the Chinese team had already been eliminated in advance, while Australia had already qualified. The only time the Chinese team defeated the Australian team at home was 41 years ago (November 1984), when the Chinese team won 3 - 2.

When arriving at the stadium for an interview before the match, the head coach of the Chinese national team, Ivankovic, said that although four key players were absent, the players were ready. "Since Australia is a physically strong team and good at aerial balls, we have also made special preparations in this regard."

"Australia may be a favored team, but after all, this is our home ground. We need to show our fighting spirit, give full play to our advantages, and hope to show our best side in front of our fans."

In the 23 - man squad for this match of the Chinese national team, six players - Zhang Yuning, Li Lei, Xie Wenneng, Wei Shihao, Yang Zexiang, and Cao Yongjing - were carrying one yellow card each, and all six of them were in the starting lineup for this match. If they receive another yellow card in this match, they will be suspended for one match due to accumulated yellow cards and miss the World Cup qualifier against Indonesia in June.

In the 12th minute of the first half, Xie Wenneng committed a foul while making a tackle on the left - hand side and received a yellow card. He will be suspended for the next match against Indonesia. Australia continued to attack.

In the 16th minute, Australian forward Owen's shot from the right - hand side of the penalty area was blocked, but he got the ball back and shot with his left foot from a long - range after creating some space, breaking the deadlock. Australia led 1 - 0.

In the 28th minute, Australian attacker Velupillai shot inside the penalty area. Chinese goalkeeper Wang Dalei made a mistake and let the ball slip into the goal. Australia extended the lead to 2 - 0. Then, Bai Helaimu came on to replace the injured Cao Yongjing.

Australia led 2 - 0 at half - time. Statistics showed that the Chinese national team had 2 shots in the first half with no shots on target, while Australia had 5 shots, 2 of which were on target and both resulted in goals. In terms of ball possession, the Chinese national team only had 42%.

Football commentator Zhan Jun was straightforward about the Chinese national team's performance in the first half, saying that a single defensive midfielder might not be appropriate. "When can Ivankovic break his stubbornness? Playing 4 - 3 - 1 - 2 in attack and 4 - 4 - 2 in defense with a single defensive midfielder in a diamond - shaped midfield. Our national team doesn't have a player capable of playing as a single defensive midfielder. Is the most suitable position for Wei Shihao really one of the two strikers? Is it right for Bai Helaimu to play as an attacking midfielder? The only threatening attacks in the first half were two corner kicks." Fan Zhiyi also publicly questioned the Chinese national team's single - defensive - midfielder formation during the commentary.

At the beginning of the second half, Sergio replaced Wei Shihao. This newly naturalized midfielder from Beijing Guoan made his debut in an A - level match for the Chinese national team.

In the 50th minute, Sergio passed the ball to the side, Li Lei crossed from the left - hand side, and Bai Helaimu headed the ball, making the Chinese national team's first shot on target.

After that, the Chinese national team launched a series of attacks. Sergio's long - range shot from the edge of the penalty area was of high quality, but the ball was saved by the Australian goalkeeper.

The Chinese national team gradually took the initiative in the match and continued to attack. In the 57th minute, Yang Zexiang crossed from the by - line, and Zhang Yuning headed the ball at the near post, but it was slightly off target. The team's morale gradually returned.

In the 65th minute, Wang Haijian and Wang Yudong replaced Huang Zhengyu and Xie Wenneng respectively in an attempt to change the attacking pattern.

Two minutes later, Zhang Yuning broke through into the penalty area from the left - hand side, creating a threat, but his pass was cleared by the opponents.

It should be said that the overall performance of the team improved significantly, and the young Wang Yudong also had many impressive performances. In the 81st minute, Wang Yudong crossed from the left - hand side, and Yang Zexiang followed up in the penalty area, almost creating a scoring opportunity.

Although the Chinese national team attacked with all their might, in the face of Australia's stable tactics, the Chinese team did not have many clear - cut opportunities. In the 86th minute, Zhang Yuning cramped during the game, and Wang Ziming came on to replace him.

Although the Chinese national team could organize some attacks, they still couldn't change the score. The Chinese national team finally lost 0 - 2 to Australia at home.