Qatar 2022: China fans call for coach Li Tie to go after World Cup qualifying defeat by Saudi Arabia

Brazil-born striker Aloisio marks national debut with wonder goal but apologises to supporters after late miss in 3-2 away loss

Chinese social media users ask Li to leave following a run of one win in four matches which has dented hopes of qualifying

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China’s naturalised striker Aloisio (known as Luo Guofu in Chinese) misses a chance to equalise against Saudi Arabia in their Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Asian qualification match. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 11:29am, 13 Oct 2021Updated: 9:59pm, 13 Oct 2021

China’s hopes of qualifying for the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup were dealt another blow after a 3-2 defeat by group leaders Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday night, with fans calling for coach Li Tie to leave his job.

Li’s China side came into the fourth game of the third stage of Asian Football Confederation qualifying having narrowly beaten Vietnam last week for their first win.

Saudi Arabia’s Sami Al-Najer put the hosts 2-0 up in the first half while China saw a good chance wasted when star striker Wu Lei – who scored the late winner against Vietnam – fired too close to Mohammed Al Owais.

At half-time Li introduced Brazil-born striker Aloisio for Zhang Yuning, and the 33-year-old marked his debut for his naturalised nation with a wonder goal.

China players applaud the supporters after their 3-2 defeat by Saudi Arabia in their Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier. Photo: Xinhua

The veteran chested down a diagonal ball in the hosts’ penalty area and arrowed a volley over the stranded goalkeeper, only for Firas Al-Buraikan to come off the bench and fire Saudi Arabia back into a two-goal lead after 72 minutes.

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