In the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament, the Chinese men’s football team faced a challenging setback, losing 3-0 to South Korea in a crucial match held in Shenzhen. Despite this defeat, head coach Aleksandar Jankovic remains steadfast, promising to continue the team’s development and progression.
The match, which saw South Korea take a commanding lead in Group C with two consecutive wins, highlighted the prowess of their captain Son Heung-min. The Tottenham Hotspur star opened the scoring with a penalty and later added a second goal with a well-placed header. A third goal by Jung Seung-hyun, assisted by Son, sealed the victory for South Korea.
China’s performance was not without its moments, notably Tan Long’s near equalizer that hit the post, indicating potential in the team’s attacking play. However, South Korea’s efficiency in capitalizing on mistakes and maintaining pressure proved overwhelming for the Chinese side.
In the post-match press conference, Jankovic acknowledged the strong play of the South Korean team and expressed his regret at not securing a win for the supportive fans in Shenzhen. He emphasized the importance of learning from this experience, particularly in maintaining possession and handling high-pressure situations.
The second stage of the Asian qualifying tournament features 36 teams divided into nine groups, competing in a home-and-away round-robin format. With the top two teams from each group advancing to the next stage, every match is crucial in the journey to World Cup qualification.
China’s campaign had started on a positive note, securing a 2-1 victory over Thailand in Bangkok, while South Korea had previously routed Singapore 5-0. Jankovic expressed contentment with the three points garnered from these two matches, affirming the team’s focus on the ultimate goal of World Cup qualification.
Looking ahead, China faces two pivotal matches against Singapore in March, with Jankovic aiming to secure six points from these encounters. Additionally, the upcoming Qatar AFC Asian Cup in January 2024 is a key focus, with preparations set to begin immediately.
South Korea’s head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of their consecutive wins in boosting confidence for the Asian Cup, where they aim to make a strong impact alongside their World Cup qualifying campaign.
In other Group C action, Thailand secured a 3-1 victory over Singapore, adding another layer of complexity to the group standings. As the qualifying rounds progress, the teams continue to battle for their chance to shine on the world’s biggest football stage.
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