After two consecutive defeats at the beginning, the main players at both ends of the offense and defense were absent due to injury, and the declining Chinese men's football team ushered in another match day. Under the rendering of pathos, in the predicament of no retreat, can the national football team create some surprises?
On the evening of October 10, local time, the national football team, which is currently at the bottom of the group, will play in the third round of the round of 18 of the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup Asian Qualifiers, against Australia, which is sitting at home and waiting for work.
On October 8, members of the Chinese national men's football team were in training. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Zijiang
Before going to Adelaide, the national football team was under double pressure. The first is the trauma caused by two consecutive defeats at the beginning of the round of 18: a 0:7 defeat to Japan in the first round, and a 1:2 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the second round; Before the start of the third game, whether the national football team can repair the frustrated morale and fighting spirit will be crucial. The second is the changes caused by the forced adjustment of the lineup: at both offensive and defensive ends, Wu Lei, Alan, Zhu Chenjie and Yang Zexiang were absent due to injury, and Gao Zhunyi was rumored to have a foot injury; How to play the strongest combat power in the new staffing is also a big test for the national football team.
Australia, a World Cup regular and with a number of overseas players, is the stronger side on paper. But the national football team will not be cowardly before fighting. Australia also failed to win in the first two rounds of the round of 18, losing to Bahrain and drawing with Indonesia; The second-to-last "Kangaroo Army" in the group is also worried about the recent situation, coach Popovich has just taken office and is facing the injury of many main players such as defender Zikati, and the lineup needs to be run in after a major adjustment. Judging from the World Preliminary Match record, the national football team has defeated and drawn against Australia, and it is not an illusory and unattainable thing to score points in this encounter.
In an interview with the media before the game, Wei Shihao said that both sides have changed players, and neither knows each other very well, although facing the pressure of not winning in the first two games, but believes that "football is round, and both sides have opportunities".
On October 9, Chinese team player Baihelam (center) in training. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Xie Sida)
From the perspective of playing style, where are the opportunities for the national football team? After losing to Korea (Round of 36), Japan and Saudi Arabia, Australia is the fourth Asian team to play in just four months. The inability to effectively control the ball is a status quo that is difficult for anyone to change at the moment, and coupled with the painful lesson of conceding set-pieces against Saudi Arabia, it is clear that the national football team now needs to unify its thinking, focus on defending in corner kicks, free kick scenarios and improving the success rate in counter-attacks.
In terms of lineup, Australia mainly updated their midfield. They are holding their breath of winless in the first two games, and they are bound to launch a fierce impact on the back line of the national football team. If nothing else, the national football team will still lower its profile, tighten the fence, and defend with all its might, Jiang Guangtai and Jiang Shenglong's central defender combination is bound to not relax for a moment, fullbacks and midfielders must also provide adequate protection, and attackers such as Wei Shihao, Baihelam and Fernando in the front field will reduce a lot of pressure on their own back line if they can play firepower and form containment.
On October 9, the head coach of the Chinese team, Ivankovic, at the press conference. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Xie Sida)
National football coach Ivankovic said in his pre-match press conference: "Tomorrow will be a tough game, Australia is under a lot of pressure, we are the same, but the pressure is part of the game and it will also make the players more excited, tomorrow I hope the players can enjoy the game and get a good result." ”
The long journey of the top 18 is running out of opportunities for Chinese football. The national football team, which had a bad start, needs to build confidence with good results at this moment and retain the "spark" of promotion with precious points.
Source: Xinhua News Agency