The most watched team in the Chinese Super League this season is none other than Shanghai Harbour. After 23 rounds of matches, they are now 12 points ahead in the table, successfully locking up the second league trophy in the team's history. Their victory is now firmly in their hands. However, in the international match that fans are most concerned about, this Super League leader suffered an unexpected loss!
In the recently concluded Asian Champions League play-off match between Shanghai Port and Thai powerhouse Pathum United, the hosts lost 2-3 and were eliminated at the play-off stage, becoming the biggest joke in Chinese soccer. Shanghai Port's humiliating 2-3 loss not only stopped their AFC Champions League journey early, but also pushed the Chinese men's soccer team into the limelight once again. If the national soccer team wants to return to the World Cup, I'm afraid they can only hope for a miracle!
Internet users who follow world soccer may have heard that the 2026 World Cup will be officially expanded, with the number of teams increasing from 32 to 48 and AFC qualification directly doubling to an unprecedented 8.5. As a result, many fans believe that 2026 will be the perfect opportunity for national soccer teams to break out of Asia. By then, we will only need to be among the top eight in Asia to earn a ticket to the World Cup. With the increase in the number of places available for qualification, the competition system for the Asian World Qualifiers has undergone a radical change. Gone are the Top 40 competitions of the past, replaced by the Top 36. The top two in each group can break through and advance to the final 18!
In the previous group draw, the Chinese men's soccer team had a bit of a bad signing, as we were split into the same group as South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Guam. Given that South Korea is too strong for the Chinese men's soccer team to contend with, our main competitor in the qualifying round is actually Thailand in the third slot. When it comes to Thailand, old fans must be familiar with it. As our old rivals in Asian soccer, China has played many matches against Thailand, with nearly seven matches played between the two sides. The national soccer team has a record of three wins, one draw, and three losses, not utilizing any advantage at all.
The Asian Champions League duel between Shanghai Harbour and Pathum United was also seen as a qualifier for the World Cup qualifiers between the Chinese men's soccer team and Thailand, as each team had six international players from their respective national teams. However, Shanghai Seaport lost 2-3 with the help of the home side and Brazilian former international Oscar. As a result, the Chinese men's soccer team's prospects of advancing to the next round of the tournament were overshadowed by a thick shadow. In this match, the head coach of the national soccer team, Jankovic, also flew to Shanghai to scout the players on the spot, and by the way, feel the bottom of the Thai team in advance. As a result, he witnessed a shameful defeat. For this Chinese men's soccer team, Jankovic may not be able to go back to heaven, he can lead the team to break through the top 36, and has already accomplished his mission, trying to return to the World Cup is like a crazy dream!
Finally, I wish the Chinese men's soccer team a speedy rise!
