Latest news with #ChinaFootball
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
China fans savage football team after World Cup failure, say it should be disbanded
China fans are used to being disappointed by their men's football team, but having their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup dashed by Indonesia appears to have been the final straw. A 1-0 defeat in Jakarta on Thursday was the first time, according to Chinese state media, they had lost to their rivals in 68 years. Their opponents, meanwhile, suggested it was only 38 years, pointing to a match in the King's Cup in Thailand in 1987, when a Galatama XI beat Hubei 3-1. Either way, social media was awash with supporters suggesting the time had come to disband a side that was 'a waste of national resources'. Another commenter believed 'any of the people in the village supermarket are better than them'. There was some humour too, with one fan suggesting things were not all bad, as there was now time to 'prepare for the 2030 World Cup four years in advance', while another wondered whether the money spent on the team might be put to better use by 'building 10 more aircraft carriers'. Indonesia players take in the celebrations after their victory over China. Photo: Xinhua Predictably, head coach Branko Ivankovic came in for some heavy criticism, although there was also a lot of discussion about a Chinese system that has failed to produce a World Cup side for more than 20 years.
South China Morning Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Winger Wu Lei returns to China squad for crunch Fifa 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Wu Lei looks set to make his first appearance for China in more than eight months after being included in Branko Ivankovic's 27-man squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and Bahrain on Thursday. The 33-year-old former Espanyol winger, who has scored 36 goals in 99 appearances for his country, last played an international against Saudi Arabia last September before being sidelined by a knee injury. He returned to action for Shanghai Port last month and Ivankovic will hope he can bring a much-needed cutting edge to China's forward line, which has failed to find the net in either of their past two qualifiers. Uncapped midfielder Yang Mingyang was also included in the squad after the former Swiss youth international had his request to change international allegiance approved by Fifa on Monday. China are bottom of Group C and cannot now earn direct passage to the 2026 World Cup finals from the third stage of Asian qualifying. They could, however, still get through to a fourth stage if they can leapfrog Bahrain, who are above them on goal difference, and Indonesia, who stand three points ahead, after the final round of qualifiers.
Reuters
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Wu Lei returns to China squad for crunch World Cup qualifiers
BEIJING, May 22 (Reuters) - Wu Lei looks set to make his first appearance for China in more than eight months after being included in Branko Ivankovic's 27-man squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and Bahrain on Thursday. The 33-year-old former Espanyol winger, who has scored 36 goals in 99 appearances for his country, last played an international against Saudi Arabia last September before being sidelined by a knee injury. He returned to action for Shanghai Port last month and Ivankovic will hope he can bring a much-needed cutting edge to China's forward line, which has failed to find the net in either of their last two qualifiers. Uncapped midfielder Yang Mingyang was also included in the squad after the former Swiss youth international had his request to change international allegiance approved by FIFA on Monday. China are bottom of Group C and cannot now earn direct passage to the 2026 World Cup finals from the third stage of Asian qualifying. They could, however, still get through to a fourth stage if they can leapfrog Bahrain, who are above them on goal difference, and Indonesia, who stand three points ahead, after the final round of qualifiers. China, who have qualified only once for the World Cup in 2002, travel to Jakarta to play the Indonesians on June 5 before hosting Bahrain in Chongqing five days later.
