2022 World Cup: China coach Li Tie lets rip after side’s draw with Australia keeps slim qualifying hopes alive
- Late penalty from Wu Lei rescue draw for Chinese but pressure is beginning to tell on under-fire manager
- Shock result leaves Socceroos five points adrift of Saudi Arabia at top of group B
The pressure of trying to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar finally seems to have got to Chinese coach Li Tie.
With his side forced to play all their games outside China because of the coronavirus pandemic, the fact they are still in with a chance is something of an achievement.
On Tuesday, a late Wu Lei penalty cancelled out Mitchell Duke’s first-half header as they battled to a 1-1 draw with Australia in Sharjah, a team they lost 3-0 to in their first group B match in September.
The result left China fifth in the six-team group, on five points from six games, having won once and drawn twice.
Under pressure to explain his team’s performance so far, Li paid tribute to his players before attacking those who questioned their commitment and his selections.
One mainland media journalist suggested the China Football Association should send the manager to see a psychiatrist, according to online portal Sina Sports.