On October 10, the third round of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico saw the Chinese national football team suffer a painful 1-3 defeat against Australia. After three rounds, China has now faced three consecutive losses, accumulating a disappointing zero points and placing them at the bottom of their group.
The Chinese team is in what has been termed a “group of death,” alongside formidable opponents including Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Indonesia in Group C. According to the tournament rules, the top two teams from this group will automatically qualify for the World Cup finals, while the third and fourth place teams will have a chance to continue through playoff matches.
In the previous two rounds, China faced tough challenges, initially suffering a staggering 0-7 loss to Japan on the road, followed by a 1-2 home defeat to Saudi Arabia. In the latest world rankings released last month, China plummeted to 91st place, marking their worst ranking in nearly eight years.
While the Australian team is known for its strength, they too have struggled recently, managing just one point in the first two rounds. Following their last match, the team made a coaching change, bringing in new head coach Popovich.
Due to injuries and other issues, the Chinese squad has faced challenges in terms of player availability, particularly in the attacking department, which has affected the overall team strength. However, head coach Ivankovic emphasized before the match that the Chinese team was not just there to participate; they entered Australia with ambitions.
For this match, Ivankovic opted for a 4-4-2 lineup: goalkeeper Wang Dalei; defenders Li Lei, Jiang Shenglong, Jiang Guangtai, and Hu Hetao; midfielders Li Yuanyi and Wang Shangyuan served as defensive midfielders, while Wei Shihao and Xie Wenner were positioned on the flanks. Zhang Yuning and Fernando were set to lead the attack.
From the kickoff, Australia established their dominance, yet it was China that first found the back of the net. In the 19th minute, Wang Dalei sent a long pass from the back, leading to Zhang Yuning’s header assist for Xie Wenner, who skillfully finished with his left foot.
Despite falling behind, Australia persisted in their offensive efforts, and the Chinese side experienced some pressure. In added time of the first half, they conceded a goal from a set piece when Miller equalized with a header.
As the second half commenced, the home team grew increasingly confident. In the 52nd minute, Goodwin struck a stunning long-range shot to put Australia ahead.
In an attempt to turn the tide, China made substitutions, but their efforts bore little fruit as they struggled to create significant scoring opportunities. Instead, they conceded another goal before the end of the match, ultimately leading to a third straight defeat.
Looking ahead, China will host their next qualifier against Indonesia on October 15 in Qingdao.
