Hope Flying to Kung Fu Kick Huge Bad News for China's Soccer World Cup...Four players missed the match against Australia
Mar 23, 2025
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On the 22nd (local time), the Chinese portal 'Sohu Dotcom' four major players of the Chinese national soccer team are not expected to play in the match against Australia. Is it time to give Wang Yudong a chance?An article under ' reported a grim squad state.
According to the media, China's major defenders Zhang Guangtai (Shanghai Port) and Gao Juni (Shandong Taishan) were injured side by side, making it uncertain to play in the eighth round of the Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against China scheduled to be held in Hangzhou on the 25th.
Jang Kwang-tai was replaced by an injury at the end of the first half in the away game of Game 7 against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the 21st. Gao Jun also headed to the bench at half-time in the aftermath of the injury.
Side striker Lin Liangming (Beijing Guoan) was sent off directly for a 'Kung Fu Kick' towards the opponent in the second minute of the first half extra time and cannot play on the day. The degree of foul play is so severe that additional disciplinary action by FIFA is inevitable.
Midfielder Wang Sangyuan (FC Henan) was warned against Saudi Arabia and cannot play against Australia due to accumulated warnings.
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Chinese media say that the only hope is that Brazilian naturalized player Serginho (Beijing Guoan), who Chinese soccer expects, is likely to make his debut. There is also a possibility that 18-year-old Shin Seong Wang-dong (Ji-dong) will be introduced as a surprise.
China lost 0-1 against Saudi Arabia and remained at the bottom of Group C (6th place) in the group stage with two wins, five losses and six points. They have the same points as Indonesia in fourth place and Bahrain in fifth place, but they are behind in the difference between gains and losses. It is four points behind second-place Australia (10 points) and three points behind third-place Saudi Arabia (9 points). In the event of defeat against Australia, the difference in points is seven points with two games left, and the direct advance to the finals will fail.
China's remaining hope is to qualify for the fourth qualifying round. In the third Asian qualifying round, the third and fourth places in each group will advance to the fourth qualifying round, which is a consolation match. China has to somehow score points against Australia and seek to enter the top four.
In order to make the World Cup stage for the first time in 24 years since 2002, two consecutive games against Indonesia (away) and Bahrain (home) in June are important. However, China cannot play in the next match against Indonesia if defender Li Lei (Beijing Guoan), midfielder Xie Wen Neng (Shandong Taishan), striker Zhang Wening (Beijing Guoan), midfielder Chao Yongjing (Beijing Guoan), and Wei Xihao (striker) are warned against Australia.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
