Fifa World Cup qualifiers: China left with nothing to fight for but pride against Saudi Arabia in Group B clash

The Middle East nation can seal spot for 2022 Qatar finals before next week’s last group match against visitors Australia

China may finish bottom of the group with unfavourable results in last two group matches

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Team China at a training session in Hainan before leaving for Middle East for the two last 2022 World Cup Asian zone qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Oman. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:02pm, 23 Mar 2022

Struggling China will attempt to salvage a little bit of pride when they face Saudi Arabia in their penultimate World Cup qualifier on Thursday.

Victory for their opponents in the Group B game in Sharjah, would secure the Middle East nation direct entry to the finals in Qatar later this year.

Having managed just one win in their past eight matches, China lie second from the bottom of the group and defeat, coupled with a bad result in the final game against Oman next week, could see them finish last.

The two sides last met in October when Saudi Arabia scored a 3-2 win over the visitors, a result that kept them on top of the table until the final week of the qualification.

Dai Wai-tsun (red) wins his first cap as a second half substitute against Japan during the World Cup Asian Qualifier in January in Saitama. Photo: Getty Images

The Green Falcons lead the table with 19 points, one point ahead of Japan while Australia are on 15. Japan can also book their place in the finals if they beat Australia in Sydney, a match which will take place before Saudi Arabia face China.