China’s chances of qualifying for next year’s Fifa World Cup in Qatar 2022 were dealt with another major blow when they were defeated 1-0 by Japan in Doha, leaving them without a point after two matches in the last stage of Asian qualifying. Both teams were coming off losses in their first games of the third group stage, with China falling 3-0 to Australia and Japan losing 1-0 at home to Oman. Japan regained control of their qualifying campaign, albeit the outcome should have been more decisive. The match was settled by Yuya Osako’s goal in the 40th minute, however, the scoreline did not represent Japan’s domination at the Khalifa International Stadium, where they had 71% of the control.
Japan had 18 goal attempts compared to China’s three, with three shots on target compared to China’s zero. Despite their high-profile naturalization campaign, China has failed to trouble the opponent goalkeeper in both matches. As he looked for a lifeline, Li began with Brazil-born attacker Elkeson and former England under-21 defender Ty Browning before bringing on Alan Carvalho and Aloisio off the bench.
As he looked for a lifeline, Li began with Brazil-born attacker Elkeson and former England under-21 defender Ty Browning before bringing on Alan Carvalho and Aloisio off the bench.
Goalscorer Osako was just as culpable as the rest of his teammates for squandered opportunities, but Japan came out on top with three points, putting them in third place behind group leaders Australia and Saudi Arabia, who both have six points. China is at the bottom of Group B, with only the top two teams assured a place in Qatar next year and one playoff berth up for grabs. Only one Fifa World Cup final has been qualified for the country, which was hosted in Japan and South Korea in 2002.
After taking over while qualifying from the previous group was doubtful following the departure of former coach Marcello Lippi, head coach Li Tie was given a long-term contract to guide China to this final group stage. The squad now has a difficult battle to qualify for next year’s World Cup, with their home games in Doha, where qualifying have been rescheduled due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, possibly being the closest they will come to Qatar.
