Fifa World Cup: China hope to end disappointing qualifying campaign on high note in final game against Oman
- Li Xiaopeng’s side cannot make it through to the finals in Qatar in November after winning just one of their group games
- Their opponents, who sit a place above them in fourth in Group B, are also unable to qualify
China will be looking for a first victory under manager Li Xiaopeng when they take on Oman on Tuesday, bringing an end to a miserable 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Li’s side take on their hosts at Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat, and while the result will mean little in terms of the tournament in Qatar later this year, victory would give a team that has just won win out of nine matches something to cherish.
Japan, who take on Vietnam at home in Saitama in another Group B affair, and Saudi Arabia, who play Australia in Jeddah, have already confirmed their World Cup spots as the top two teams in the group.
China’s sole victory came against Vietnam in October, when they narrowly beat Vietnam 3-2 win in Sharjah under former manager Li Tie. He was forced to step down two months later with Li Xiaopeng taking up the baton.
But the team has continued to struggle, losing to Japan and Vietnam, before managing to hold Saudi Arabia to a draw last week.
The draw against the Green Falcons however was hailed as a sign of improvement by the team’s fans, especially it without any of the naturalised foreign players, once considered the key to securing a World Cup spot.
Instead, manager Li Xiaopeng selected several younger players, including midfielder Gao Tianyi, who made his international debut as a second-half substitute against Saudi Arabia.
“First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to the head coach for believing in me and sending me on the field at critical times. It is an ultimate honor for me to represent my country,” the 24-year-old said.
“It will certainly not going to be easy [against Oman]. We must keep the good things against Saudi Arabia in tomorrow’s match and hopefully we can bring home a victory.”
The Beijing Guo’an player said the manager had told them to cherish and enjoy the last opportunity of playing in the qualifiers, but urged them to pay attention to Oman’s attack through set pieces.
China national team fighting for pride in Fifa World Cup qualifier
The two teams last met in the group in November, when they drew 1-all in Sharjah.
“They can make use of corner kicks and free kicks to attack and have been quite successful,” Gao said. “We have done a lot on how to defend during these occasions during our training over the last couple of days and get sufficient preparation.”
Oman are fourth in the group with 11 points, with China a place behind on five points. Australia, who have collected 15 points already, will finish third regardless of their result against Saudi Arabia, and will play the other third-placed team in Group A.
South Korea and Iran have finished as the top two teams of that group, and the United Arab Emirates can finish third if they beat South Korea in Dubai on Tuesday. A draw or defeat will leave their fate resting on Iraq’s result against Syria in another match.
