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Reuters

China coach Branko Ivankovic paid tribute to the commitment of his players and the support of the Qingdao crowd after his team snapped a four-match losing streak with a win over Indonesia in a World Cup qualifier.
Tuesday’s 2-1 win in front of a passionate red-clad crowd of 37,000 at Qingdao Youth Football Stadium revived hopes that China might be able to qualify for the finals for the second time.
Behram Abduweli put China ahead in the 21st minute and Zhang Yuning doubled the lead with a crisp finish just before the break after being put through on goal by a sublime Gao Zhunyi pass.
Ivankovic kept star forward Wu Lei on the bench throughout the match and although Indonesia hit back through Thom Haye with four minutes remaining, China held on for their first victory in the third round of Asian qualifying.

“I want to thank the players for their dedication in this game,” Croatian Ivankovic told a news conference, according to Chinese state media.
“They showed my tactical requirements, including the intensity needed to fight for ball control and the passion to win the game. They were very focused during the whole match.
“The fans created a very good atmosphere and gave us a lot of support. They are just like a 12th player on the pitch.”
Despite the victory, China remain rooted to the bottom of Group C with an uphill climb ahead if they are to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The top two from the six-team group stamp their tickets to the finals with the nations in third and fourth, the most realistic prospect for China, going on to another stage of qualifying.
China’s next qualifier is in Riffa on November 14 against a Bahrain side who showed their quality with an away win in Australia in early September and again by holding Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw in Jeddah on Tuesday.

Also in Group C, Australia halted Japan’s rampant start to the round as Tony Popovic’s side eked out a 1-1 draw with the group leaders while Saudi Arabia’s struggles continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Bahrain in Jeddah.
The Japanese had won nine consecutive World Cup qualifiers without conceding but Shogo Taniguchi put Lewis Miller’s low cross into his own goal in the 58th minute to give the Socceroos an unexpected lead.
Popovic, in his second game in charge since replacing Graham Arnold last month, had set his side up in an ultra-defensive formation and looked to hold on to their advantage.
But substitute Keito Nakamura eventually unlocked the Socceroos’ defence with 14 minutes remaining, dancing through the backline before powering the ball across the face of goal for Cameron Burgess to strike into his own net.
The result moves Japan, looking for an eighth successive World Cup qualification, to 10 points from four games with the Australians five points behind in second place, level on five points with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Captain Salem Al-Dawsari saw his 20th-minute penalty saved by Ebrahim Lutfalla in Jeddah as the Saudis failed to break down their visitors and Roberto Mancini’s side have won only once in their four games in the current phase of qualifying.
South Korea, who have appeared at every World Cup since 1986, secured a 3-2 win over Iraq in Seoul as Hong Myung-bo’s side registered a second victory in a row to move three points clear at the top of Group B.
Jordan jumped ahead of the Iraqis and into second place on goal difference in the group with a 4-0 trouncing of Oman while Palestine picked up a point with a 2-2 draw against Kuwait.
Uzbekistan needed a 76th-minute penalty to beat the 10-man United Arab Emirates 1-0 in Group A in Tashkent and Iran kept pace with a 4-1 come-from-behind thrashing of Qatar.
Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, notched up their first-ever win in this phase of qualifying with Khristiyan Brauzman scoring the only goal in their 1-0 victory over North Korea in Bishkek.


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Fifa

World Cup 2026: coach Branko Ivankovic thanks players, fans after China snap losing streak

A fan waves China’s national flag to celebrate their team’s win against Indonesia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification match in Qingdao on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Branko Ivankovic (front right) celebrates with his China team after beating Indonesia 2-1. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Zhang Yuning scores his team’s second goal past Indonesia’s goalkeeper Maarten Paes. Photo: Reuters

Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma (left) reacts after Australian Cameron Burgess’ own goal in their 1-1 draw. Photo: Kyodo

Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers: China aiming to revive campaign against Indonesia

Agony for China goalkeeper Wang Dalei and his defenders during their defeat by Saudi Arabia in Dalian last month. Photo: Xinhua

Australia’s Jordan Bos gets the ball past Jiang Guangtai during this month’s match in Adelaide. Photo: AFP

World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Saudi players cannot live in past, warns coach Roberto Mancini

Saudi Arabia’s Italian coach Roberto Mancini has told his players they cannot rely on past performances to confirm their passage to North America in two years’ time. Photo: AFP

The influx of foreign players in the Saudi league has seen local players lacking in game time. Photo: Reuters

World Cup 2026: South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo denies claims of preferential treatment

South Korean coach Hong Myung-bo was jeered by fans during the 0-0 draw with Palestine in a World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifier in Seoul in early September. Photo: AFP

Korea FA president Chung Mong-gyu at the hearing into the hiring of Hong Myung-bo (rear, right). Photo: EPA-EFE

Hollywood duo hope to open Latina pathway into football with investment into Watford women

Actress Judy Reyes wants to build a bridge between Watford and under-served Latina players in the United States. Photo: Reuters

Watford women play in the FA Women’s National League South after relegation from the Championship. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong football boss Ashley Westwood mystified by fans’ criticism, promises better results

Hong Kong’s players listen to head coach Ashley Westwood during training. Photo: HKFA

The players train at Hong Kong Stadium on the eve of Tuesday’s match. Photo: Paul McNamara

Poon Pui-hin (left) in action against Liechtenstein. Photo: HKFA

Sport

Football

Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Indonesia before a 37,000 crowd at Qingdao revives China’s hopes as the big guns stay on course for the finals


Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Indonesia before a 37,000 crowd at Qingdao revives China’s hopes as the big guns stay on course for the finals.


Fifa World Cup 2026