Latest news with #ChinaFootball
Malay Mail
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
China sack Ivankovic after World Cup failure, U-19 coach Djurdjevic named interim boss
BEIJING, June 28 — China's football association yesterday said it has sacked national coach Branko Ivankovic after the country failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The decision followed a series of setbacks in qualifying for China, who have only ever played once in a World Cup. China lost 1-0 to Indonesia in early June, a result that effectively dashed the national team's hopes of qualifying. They ultimately finished second-to-last in their Asian group, with seven defeats in 10 matches. 'As the Chinese men's national team failed to qualify for the play-off stage, the contract of the coach and his staff has been automatically terminated, in accordance with the stipulated terms,' the Chinese Football Association said in a statement Friday. 'Branko Ivankovic will no longer lead the national team,' it said, thanking the Croatian, who has coached Dinamo Zagreb and Iran, for his 'hard work'. The Serbian coach of the Chinese U-19 men's national team, Dejan Djurdjevic, has been appointed interim national coach, the CFA said. The Chinese team are ranked 94th in the world by FIFA, continuing a downward slide that began several years ago. The side have long been the target of ridicule by Chinese fans due to their poor results and the multiple corruption scandals plaguing the sport. President Xi Jinping has said he wanted China to win the World Cup one day, but the latest flop means they have only ever played there once, in 2002, when they failed to get a point or score a goal. — AFP
Reuters
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Coach Ivankovic fired by Chinese following World Cup elimination
HONG KONG, June 28 (Reuters) - Branko Ivankovic has been fired as China's national team coach following his side's elimination from the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup this month, the Chinese Football Association announced on Friday. The 71-year-old Croatian coach was removed from the post as a result of China finishing fifth in Group C of the continent's preliminaries for next year's 48-team finals, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. "The Chinese Football Association expresses gratitude to Mr. Branko Ivankovic and his coaching staff for their dedicated efforts during their tenure with the men's national team and their contributions to Chinese football," a CFA statement said. "We wish Mr. Ivankovic all the best in his future work and life." Ivankovic, who led Iran at the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006, was appointed China's coach in February 2024, replacing Aleksandar Jankovic. He steered the country into the third phase of Asia's World Cup qualifying. His team recovered from a poor start, which included a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Japan, to maintain their hopes of a place at their first World Cup since the nation's debut appearance at the finals in 2002. Wins over Indonesia and Bahrain kept China in contention for a berth in the fourth round of qualifying, but losses to Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia were followed by a defeat against Indonesia on June 5 that ended any prospect of progressing. The Chinese association said Dejan Djurdjevic, who led China to the quarter-finals of the Under 20 Asian Cup in Shenzhen in February, will take over on a caretaker basis for next month's East Asian Championship in South Korea.
South China Morning Post
17-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Branko Ivankovic fate a mystery, as China eye South Korea's Shin for top football job
South Korean Shin Tae-yong said he would jump at the chance to manage the Chinese men's national football team if asked to do so - although there is no official word as to whether the role is even up for grabs. While multiple reports in mainland China claimed Branko Ivankovic had been sacked after his side's failure to reach the 2026 World Cup, the country's football association has not said anything despite that being the expected outcome following a 1-0 defeat to Indonesia this month. Attention has already turned to Ivankovic's successor with Shin, who was sacked as Indonesia boss in January, among the names linked with the role. 'If there is a proposal from China, why hesitate?' he said. 'If there is an offer, I will go. The Chinese men's national football team [role] is definitely a very attractive position. 'If they appoint me as the next head coach of the Chinese team, I am confident that I can lead this team well.' South Korean Shin Tae-yong would be interested in becoming China manager. Photo: AP Media reports from Beijing suggested Ivankovic made a final appearance at the Chinese Football Association (CFA) headquarters on Friday to discuss his contract before leaving for a 1.45am flight to Qatar.
Asharq Al-Awsat
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Ivankovic Takes Responsibility after China's World Cup Dream Ends
China coach Branko Ivankovic took responsibility for his team's exit from the World Cup qualifiers after they fell to a 1-0 defeat by Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday. China had faint hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup despite three consecutive losses against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia, which left them bottom of Asian qualifying Group C. The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition had ignited Chinese hopes of a return to the finals for the first time since their sole appearance in 2002. "This team has been fighting for this goal for over 20 years," Ivankovic told reporters. "We believed that if we could reach the next stage from this tough group, we would have a strong chance of qualifying. But we didn't succeed, and as head coach, I definitely bear significant responsibility." The 71-year-old Croatian was appointed by China in February last year to replace Aleksandar Jankovic after the Serbian failed to take the East Asian country beyond the group phase of the 2024 Asian Cup. "We've brought in a younger generation of players who have injected energy into the team. Based on their performances, I believe this team has a promising future," Ivankovic said. "We knew this match would be tough — not just because of the opponent, but also the weather. I want to thank my players for fighting until the very last second." China next host Bahrain, who are in fifth place in Group C, for their final third-round qualifier on June 10.
Reuters
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Ivankovic takes responsibility after China's World Cup dream ends
June 6 (Reuters) - China coach Branko Ivankovic took responsibility for his team's exit from the World Cup qualifiers after they fell to a 1-0 defeat by Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday. China had faint hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup despite three consecutive losses against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia, which left them bottom of Asian qualifying Group C. The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition had ignited Chinese hopes of a return to the finals for the first time since their sole appearance in 2002. "This team has been fighting for this goal for over 20 years," Ivankovic told reporters. "We believed that if we could reach the next stage from this tough group, we would have a strong chance of qualifying. But we didn't succeed, and as head coach, I definitely bear significant responsibility." The 71-year-old Croatian was appointed by China in February last year to replace Aleksandar Jankovic after the Serbian failed to take the East Asian country beyond the group phase of the 2024 Asian Cup. "We've brought in a younger generation of players who have injected energy into the team. Based on their performances, I believe this team has a promising future," Ivankovic said. "We knew this match would be tough — not just because of the opponent, but also the weather. I want to thank my players for fighting until the very last second." China next host Bahrain, who are in fifth place in Group C, for their final third-round qualifier on June 10.
