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Wu Lei of China in action against Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup Asian qualification. Photo: Xinhua

China take on Australia in crucial World Cup qualifier that neither side can afford to lose

  • Australia stay second in group B with top two gaining direct entry to Qatar 2022
  • China can close gap on top teams if they take all three points, but defeat would end any hopes of qualifying for next year’s tournament

China and Australia face each other in a 2022 World Cup Asian zone qualifying match which neither side dare lose in Sharjah on Tuesday, and the Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is wary of the threat posed by their opponents.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced China to play its matches in the United Arab Emirates, and Arnold said that kind of adversity could often help a team.

While Australia will hope to consolidate their hold on second place in group B, Li Tie’s side have to win if they stand any chance of progressing.

“There’s a lot of problems at the moment in Chinese football,” Arnold said. “They’re having to play all their games away from home, which is not far off what’s happened with us.

“At times, that can build camaraderie and we’ve just got to make sure we get our performance right and get out on the pitch and play every game as if it’s your last game and make sure you’re mentally prepared.”

Australia and Saudi Arabia finished with a goalless draw in Sydney last week. Photo: Reuters

Although Arnold’s men looked a class apart when they beat China 3-0 in Doha in round one in September, they need the same result if they want to ensure they qualify for next year’s finals in Qatar in the process.

The Socceroos looked promising in winning their first three games, but then defeat to Japan followed by a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia has left them feeling the heat.

Chinese coach Li Tie left disappointed as World Cup hopes hang by thread

China, meanwhile, also need the three points to revitalise their hopes, having collected all their four points in the past two games with a 3-2 win over bottom team Vietnam and a 1-1 draw against Oman.

defeat in Sharjah would virtually end their campaign and probably bring an end to Li’s time as manager.

Under fire from the fans, Li is unpopular, not only because disappointing results have left them fifth in the group, of a fifth place out of six teams in the group, but also because of his refusal to field as many naturalised players as possible.

His decision to substitute forward Luo Guofu, a former Brazilian, early in the second half of the game against Oman has been fiercely criticised.

 

Li, who replaced Italian Marcello Lippi in 2019, repeatedly refused to discuss his future after the game, saying both he and the team had to look forward after the draw with Oman.

But the former Everton player did react sarcastically to the earthquake in nearby Iran on Sunday, saying on his Weibo account: “Earthquake! I have experienced it a number of times, nothing to worry. Let’s go training right now.”

Luo Guofu (in red) of China vies with Jameel Al Yahmadi of Oman during the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers in Sharjah, UAE last week. Photo: Xinhua

If China are to pull off a surprise victory, it will mean Li relying on striker Wu Lei, who has recently appeared in only fits and starts for his Spanish club side Espanyol.

China fans call for Li Tie to go after defeat by Saudi Arabia

The former Shanghai SIPG star’s contribution has been nothing short of vital in the final round of the zonal qualification, scoring all his side’s goals, the most recent being the sharp poacher’s finish which gave them the lead against Oman.

China manager Li Tie has been under fire for the country’s poor results so far. Photo: Xinhua

Across the campaign only Ali Mabkhout of the UAE has scored more, with Wu’s tally of 11 goals in 13 matches good enough for second on the global scoring charts in World Cup qualifying.

While Wu’s brilliance has been a shining light in the campaign, China still face a monumental task if they are to get themselves back into contention for a place in next year’s finals.

2022 World Cup Asian qualification round three, Group B

China v Australia

Venue: Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, UAE

Kick-off: 11pm (HK time)

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Testing times for China and Socceroos in Sharjah
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