China’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are dwindling after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia following a 7-0 loss to Japan. In the match held in Dalian, China took an early lead thanks to an own goal by Ali Lajami, but failed to capitalize on Saudi midfielder Mohamed Kanno being red-carded. Despite their efforts, China struggled to break through the Saudi defense and ultimately fell to two goals from Hassan Kadish, leading to a disappointing loss.
The game took a turn in China’s favor when Kanno was sent off for kicking out at a Chinese player, reducing Saudi Arabia to 10 men. However, China was unable to convert this advantage into more goals, with their limited chances being squandered. As the match progressed, Saudi Arabia managed to level the score before snatching a late victory with Kadish finding the back of the net twice from corners, sealing China’s fate at the bottom of Group C.
Despite the rain pouring down in the second half, China continued to press forward, seeking a winning goal that would have kept their World Cup dreams alive. However, their efforts were in vain as Saudi Arabia’s defense held firm, while Kadish made the most of his opportunities to secure a crucial victory for his team. With two defeats in a row, China finds themselves at the bottom of the group standings, facing an uphill battle to secure one of the coveted spots for the 2026 World Cup.
The defeat against Saudi Arabia highlighted China’s struggles on the international stage, with their inability to capitalize on key moments proving costly. Despite their determination and efforts to break through the Saudi defense, China’s lack of clinical finishing and poor decision-making ultimately led to their downfall. Moreover, the team’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, as they were unable to contain Saudi Arabia’s attacking threat, resulting in crucial goals that sealed their fate in the match.
Saudi Arabia, led by experienced coach Roberto Mancini, showcased their resilience and ability to capitalize on their opponents’ weaknesses, ultimately outclassing China and securing a crucial victory in their World Cup qualifying campaign. With China now facing an uphill battle to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, they will need to regroup and address their shortcomings in order to bounce back in their upcoming matches and keep their hopes alive. The road ahead will be challenging, but with determination and strategic improvements, China still has a chance to turn their fortunes around and make a push for qualification in the remaining games of the campaign.
