The worst finish was avoided. Dramatic PK goal China, dramatic last place → FIFA ranking triple-digit crisis escape win over Bahrain 10
Jun 10, 2025
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The Chinese national team, led by head coach Branko Ivankovic, won the 10th Group C match against Bahrain in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Longxing Football Stadium in Chongqing on the 10th (Korea time).
China finished the third qualifying round in fifth place in the group with three wins, seven losses and nine points, taking a dramatic three points with its victory over Bahrain. The fourth-place leap, which could lead to the fourth qualifying round of the World Cup, was barely avoided by the victory over Bahrain at a time when it was already overrun by the defeat against Indonesia.
This is the first World Cup in which the number of countries that qualify for the finals will increase from 32 to 48. However, China has failed to overcome even the Asian stage despite the increased number of tickets to the World Cup, continuing its humiliating history of failing to advance to the World Cup finals for six consecutive times since the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.
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Bahrain pulled out a 4-4-2 formation. Mahdi Abd-Al-Jabar and Mohammed Marhun are two-top, Mahdi al-Humaidan, Sayette Diya, Komail al-Aswad and Ali Madan are in the midfield. Abdullah al-Kalash, Walaed al-Hayam, Amin Benadi and Hamad al-Shamsan made up the defense. The goalkeeper's gloves were worn by Ebrahim Rtphala.
Throughout the first half, the score did not explode and a boring flow continued. Al Humaidan's mid-range shot in the 16th minute of the first half was all. The two teams continued to play frustratingly after only a few battles in the midfield.
The second half was not much different. China fought hard for the score, but there were few menacing attacks. At the last moment, the lucky goddess raised China's hand. In the 44th minute of the second half, Al Eker committed a handball foul inside the penalty box and the referee declared a penalty kick. Wang Uidong finished it neatly and scored the first goal just before the end. China won by securing a dramatic one-goal lead.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
