China's hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a hit Tuesday night after a 3-1 loss to Japan in a tense AFC qualifier match in Xiamen. The defeat leaves the home team at the bottom of Group C, sparking discussions among fans about the squad's next moves.
Key Moments: Japan dominated set pieces, scoring twice from corner kicks in the first half. Koki Ogawa broke the deadlock in the 39th minute with a powerful header, followed by Ko Itakura doubling the lead just before halftime. China fought back in the second half but couldn't overcome Japan's airtight defense.
Group C Standings: This marks China's second loss to Japan in this qualifier stage—the first being a crushing 7-0 defeat. While the team bounced back with wins against Indonesia and Bahrain earlier, this loss reignites pressure on their World Cup dreams.
Fans flooded social media with mixed reactions, some praising China's improved second-half energy while others called for tactical changes. Will this result fuel a comeback strategy? Stay tuned as the qualifiers continue!
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Key Moments: Japan dominated set pieces, scoring twice from corner kicks in the first half. Koki Ogawa broke the deadlock in the 39th minute with a powerful header, followed by Ko Itakura doubling the lead just before halftime. China fought back in the second half but couldn't overcome Japan's airtight defense.
Group C Standings: This marks China's second loss to Japan in this qualifier stage—the first being a crushing 7-0 defeat. While the team bounced back with wins against Indonesia and Bahrain earlier, this loss reignites pressure on their World Cup dreams.
Will this result fuel a comeback strategy? Stay tuned as the qualifiers continue!
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