In a stunning defeat, the Chinese national football team faced a 0-7 drubbing against Japan in the first match of the World Cup qualifiers in Asia. The match, which took place on September 5, 2024, at the Saitama Stadium in Japan, marked the worst loss in the history of the two teams’ encounters.
The Chinese team, coached by Croatian manager Ivan Kovacevic, struggled to contain the high-flying Japanese side, which was led by manager Hajime Moriyasu. The Japanese team showcased their prowess, with several goals coming from players who ply their trade in the European leagues.
Kovacevic, during the post-match press conference, expressed his disappointment and acknowledged the team’s shortcomings. Congratulations to Japan on their victory. It’s undeniable that we saw a strong performance from them today. We had prepared for them as a strong team in Asia and the world, and we knew they had skilled players. It was a tough match for us, he said.
The Croat also admitted that there were some mistakes in the defense that led to the heavy defeat. We had trained specifically for defense, but some of the goals we conceded were not justified. We need to analyze and learn from these mistakes, he added.
The match began with Japan taking the lead in the 10th minute through a header by Faragohi. The Chinese team tried to respond, but the Japanese side continued to dominate the game, scoring twice more before the half-time break.
The second half saw the Chinese team struggle further, with goals from Shinozaki, Tsubosaka, and Hasegawa extending the lead to 4-0. The Japanese team continued to pile on the pressure, and substitute Ito Junya scored twice more in the second half, with the final goal coming from Kubo.
The Chinese team, which has not defeated Japan in a competitive match since 1998, failed to capitalize on their opportunities, with goalkeeper Wang Dali being left shell-shocked after the match.
The defeat has raised questions about the Chinese team’s preparations and tactics. Some critics have pointed out that the team’s performance was below par and that the coaching staff needs to address the issues quickly.
In other news, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) faced criticism for charging viewers a fee to watch the match on the domestic streaming platform iQIYI Sports. The decision to charge 9 yuan for a single match sparked a debate on social media, with many viewers feeling that the price was too high for a match that was widely considered to be a significant event.
Despite the defeat, the Chinese team will have another chance to redeem themselves when they face Saudi Arabia on September 10, 2024. The match against Saudi Arabia will be crucial for the Chinese team’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
The heavy defeat against Japan has exposed the weaknesses in the Chinese team and put immense pressure on the coaching staff and players. However, the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and improve in the coming matches is also evident. The Chinese football community will be watching closely to see how the team responds to this challenge.
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