The "10 to 11" national football team lost to Saudi Arabia and advanced to the 2026 World Cup finals

In the early morning of the 21st, Beijing time, the world's 90th ranked Chinese team faced the world's 59th ranked Saudi Arabia away in a match in Group C of the round of 18 of the 3rd stage of the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Asian Zone. The Chinese team was forced to "play 10 to 11" and finally lost 0-1. The Chinese men's football team is currently at the bottom of the group with 2 wins and 5 losses, and has almost no hope of qualifying for the World Cup.

Saudi Arabian defender Cades was injured and stretchered off

In the 45th minute of the first half of the game +1, the goalkeeper of the Chinese team Wang Dalei kicked the ball from the front of the goal to the front court, during the battle between the two sides, Lin Liangming raised his foot to kick the ball, but accidentally kicked the head of Saudi Arabian defender Kades, Kades fell to the ground on the spot, Lin Liangming was also rewarded with a red card by the referee, and was kicked out on the spot. Unable to get up due to his injuries, Kades was taken out on a stretcher and taken to the hospital.

In the 50th minute of the second half, Saudi Arabian winger Al-Dosari received a pass from his teammates in front of the penalty area, and he shot with his right foot to break the net and take a 1-0 lead for Saudi Arabia. The Chinese team was unable to break through the opponent's door and finally swallowed the defeat.

Chinese player Lin Liangming (left) received a red card and was kicked off the field

Ivankovic, the foreign head coach of the Chinese men's football team, said that Saudi Arabia is a very strong team that has participated in many World Cups, "They played well in the second half, and considering the situation at the time, it is difficult for us to do better." ”

Jiang Guangtai, a defender of the Chinese team, said that the Chinese team started the game well, but Lin Liangming received a red card that disrupted the rhythm of the team, "The red card was an accident, and this incident completely changed the game." There is so much uncertainty in football and we need to learn from this game and be ready for the next game."

Saudi Arabian winger Al-Dosari shoots into the net

The current record of Group C of the 3rd round of the World Cup Asian Zone, the Japanese team is in first place with 6 wins and 1 draw, and the "Blue Samurai" is also sure to get the ticket to the World Cup. The other five teams in this group will have to fight for the remaining World Cup ticket.

The Chinese men's football team's next game will return to the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium on March 25 to face the Australian team

Australia is second with 2 wins, 4 and 1 loss, Saudi Arabia is third with 2 wins, 3 and 2 losses, Indonesia is fourth with 1 win, 3 and 3 defeats, Bahrain is fifth with 1 win, 3 and 3 losses, and China is sixth with 2 wins and 5 losses. The Chinese men's football team's next game will return to the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium on March 25 to face the Australian team.