In the Asian top 12 of the World Preliminaries that ended in the early morning of the 25th, Beijing time, with Zhu Chenjie's penalty kick, the national football team drew 1:1 with the Saudi team.
It is worth mentioning that after scoring the goal, the national football players gathered around and pointed to the sky.
The match commentator said that the national football players were mourning the compatriots who died in the plane crash of China Eastern Airlines MU5735.
Some people also said that this was a tribute to the recently deceased football legend Chen Chengda.
This tender moment can't help but bring tears to my eyes...
After scoring the goal, the national football players gathered around and pointed to the sky.
Image source: Visual China.
From the perspective of the game, the national football team, which has already been eliminated early, seems a little out of place at the point where the top 12 in the Asian preliminaries have entered the penultimate round and competed for the qualification of the World Cup.
Before the national football match, the second-placed Japanese team in the same group took the lead in a direct confrontation with the third-placed Australia.
In the end, the Japanese team, led by coach Mori Baoichi, who was in deep crisis of dismissal at the beginning of the round of 12, defeated Australia 2-0 to secure the qualifying spot, and Australia had to participate in the play-offs.
The national football opponent Saudi Arabia also qualified ahead of schedule.
In the other group, the South Korean team, which was trapped in the "encirclement" of the West Asian team, continued to make great progress, beating Iran 2:0, jumping to the top of the group, with 7 wins and 2 draws in 9 games, showing its hard power.
Group photo before the national football game.
Image source: Visual China.
This incompatibility is also somewhat embarrassing.
This embarrassment is not only in the "no desire and no desire" of the national football team, but also in the strength gap between the national football team and the first-class teams in Asia, which is also the distance between the national football team and the World Cup.
And this distance can not be solved by changing the head coach, nor is it caused by the so-called "not fighting".
Data map: National football coach Li Xiaopeng.
Image source: IC photo
Before the game, coach Li Xiaopeng said that he hoped to use some tough players who want to fight, dare to fight, and can fight to the end to show the strength and will of the national football team.
"Although the Chinese team lost the chance to qualify for the World Cup this time, all players have to fight for their faces."
Judging by the game, they did.
In the first round, the national football team lost to Saudi Arabia 2:3.
In the historical confrontation with Saudi Arabia, the national football team has played against Saudi Arabia 18 times in total, and the Chinese team's record is 6 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses.
In the last 11 matches between the two sides, the Chinese team only got 2 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses.
The last match between the two sides was the first round of the World Preliminary Asian Top 12. The national football team unfortunately lost 2:3 to Saudi Arabia. Luo Guofu and Wu Xi scored in that match, neither of whom were in the second round. in the list.
It has to be said that compared with the previous 8 top 12 games, the national football team has the thinnest lineup in this campaign.
In addition to Alan, Exon, and Luo Guofu who were not called up, the captain Wu Xi was absent due to suspension, and Li Lei, who was studying abroad, was absent due to injury. In view of the current national football preliminaries, another foreign player Wu Lei was not called up.
In the 23-man roster of the national football team, there are only two forwards, Zhang Yuning and Tan Long.
In the starting lineup, Li Xiaopeng sent Zhang Yuning and Liu Binbin as double forwards, Xu Xin, Hao Junmin, Liao Lisheng in midfield, Liu Yang and Gao Junyi as wingbacks, Zheng Zheng, Zhu Chenjie, Zhang Linpeng formed the three central defenders, and the goalkeeper is still Yan Junling.
National football starting lineup.
Image source: Chinese football team.
game progress
After the opening, the two sides fell into a tussle, and neither got a good chance.
However, as the game deepened, the stronger Saudi team gradually took the initiative and frequently threatened the goal of the Chinese team.
Before halftime, the continuous attacking Saudi team scored a goal. Sheikhri scored with a header before the corner kick, and the national football team fell behind 0:1.
Change sides to fight again. In the 52nd minute, the national football team actively counterattacked in the frontcourt. Zhang Yuning directly pushed and scored, but was slightly offside and the goal was ruled invalid.
In the 63rd minute, the Saudi team played a quick counterattack. Dawasari's shot was saved by Yan Junling and hit the post. The national football team almost lost another goal.
In the 80th minute, Gao Zhunyi made a cross and Zhu Chenjie scored a penalty kick.
The national football equalized the score!
In the end, the national football team drew 1:1 with the Saudi team, ending the 2-game losing streak.
Zhang Linpeng (right) served as the captain of the national football team in this game.
Image source: Visual China.
Looking at the whole game, although the overall situation is passive, the gap in strength is still obvious, but the national football players have indeed done their best, only using their bodies to block the opponent's shots, no less than 5 times.
This hard work also resulted in a relatively decent draw, completing the pre-match minimum goal of "saving face".
On the 30th, the national football team will play against Oman, the last opponent of the top 12 in this World Preliminary Tournament.
It is hoped that the national football team can use a victory to draw a relatively successful end to this World Preliminary Tournament.
Chinese football, pat the dust on your body and move on!
(author Bian Liqun)