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Real battle for Cup spot begins for China

The Straits Times

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October 15, 2024

BEIJING - China's hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup are hanging by a thread after three consecutive qualifying defeats, but the Oct 15 clash against Indonesia on home turf provides Branko Ivankovic's side with another opportunity to right the ship.

- XINHUA

The Chinese opened their qualifying campaign with a fiasco, being humbled 7-0 by Japan.

They then lost 2-1 to 10-man Saudi Arabia despite going ahead, and then fumbled another 1-0 lead to suffer a 3-1 defeat in Australia on Oct 10. This poor streak leaves China rock bottom of Group C with zero points and a goal difference of minus 10.

The top two teams in each group will directly qualify for the World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams move into a further round of qualifying.

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