Singapore leader hails team’s ‘fighting spirit’ after World Cup draw with China; Zhang quits over ‘humiliating’ result
- Country’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong leads congratulations, as Chinese fans drift between anger and acceptance
- Emotional China captain Zhang Linpeng tells reporters he’s ending international career, as fans blast ‘disgraceful’ performance
China captain Zhang Linpeng has sensationally quit international football after his side’s “humiliating” 2-2 draw in a World Cup qualifier against Singapore.
Fans, meanwhile, veered between calling the result the biggest disgrace since their side’s 5-1 loss to Thailand, or admitting they had stopped expecting anything but defeat.
That was in sharp contrast to their hosts, where Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong led the praise for his country’s performance on Thursday.
Zhang though decided that losing a two-goal lead at the National Stadium was the final straw.
“I thought about it for a long while. I think it’s time to end my national team career,” he said after the game. “We could not even beat the Singapore team. I think it’s unacceptable, and I find it humiliating”
Trailing at half-time to two goals from Wu Lei, Singapore changed the game in the 53rd minute, when Faris Ramli’s effort was deflected past the hapless Yan Junling in the China goal.