In the early morning of September 3, the first round of the Qatar World Cup Asian Qualifying Tournament Phase III, Group B, the focus of the battle in Doha's Khalifa International Stadium. The Chinese team suffered a 0-3 defeat against Australia in their debut match. Although the national football team did not show too many highlights on the offensive side, the defense made consecutive mistakes in the 24th, 26th and 70th minutes, and was broken by the opponents three times. After the first round, Japan, Vietnam and China have zero points, and the national soccer team is at the bottom of the group due to goal difference.
As a fourth-tier team ranked 71st in the world, the Chinese team encountered the powerful Australian team in the first round. Before the match, both head coach Li Tie and captain Wu Xi said that the national football team is well prepared to face the strength of Australia and will meet the challenge with a calm mindset.
For the match, Li Tie followed a 4-4-2 formation with Jiang Guangtai and Yu Dabao partnering at center back and Zhang Linpeng moving to the wing. In the forward line, Wu Lei and Ackerson continued to partner. For Australia, Matthew Ryan is back from injury, with Taggart up front.
After the start, the Chinese team showed a positive attitude in both offense and defense. In the 3rd minute, Jin Jingdao sent a precise pass to Wu Lei, who missed from a small angle. In the 6th minute, Grant sent a diagonal pass and Taggart's header did not pose a threat. However, as the game progressed, China gradually lost control of the ball and Australia began to press.
In the 24th minute, a long pass from Australia set up an attack, and Taggart's pick of the ball flew past goalkeeper Yan Junling's fingertips, and Mabir easily broke through the goal, leaving China 0-1 down. Just three minutes later, Luo Jiqi's right-footed shot sent the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal, and China conceded two goals in a row to fall behind 0-2.
In the second half, China adjusted their lineup with Artemisia Junmin and Wang Gang replacing Zhang Xizhe and Yu Dabao respectively. In the 68th minute, Boyle and Taggart were replaced by Duke and Muy. In the 71st minute, Mabiel swept the ball into the goal, and China was down 0-3. Although the national soccer team made personnel adjustments in the second half, it could not reverse the situation in the end.
At 23:00 Beijing time on September 7, China will face Japan in the second round of the group stage. In this match, the national soccer team will face another challenge. (Cheuk Oyu)
China starting lineup: 1 - Yan Junling; 3 - Stanley Wang, 6 - Jiang Guangtai, 22 - Yu Dabao, 5 - Zhang Linpeng; 10 - Zhang Xizhe, 13 - Jin Jingdao, 15 - Wu Xi, 17 - Wu Xinghan; 7 - Wu Lei, 9 - Aixon
Australia starting lineup: 1 - Matthew Ryan; 4 - Ryan Grant, 19 - Souttar, 20 - Sainsbury, 16 - Beech; 22 - Jackson Irvine, 10 - Krstic; 6 - Martin Boyle, 23 - Rogic, 11 - Mabile; 9 - Taggart
