China News Service, Tianjin, March 27th: Say goodbye to depression, the national football team is "walking on the right path"
China News Service reporter Xing Chong
In September 2013, at the Tianjin Olympic Sports Center Stadium, the Chinese men’s football team defeated the Singaporean team 6:1. On the evening of the 26th, at the same venue and facing the same opponent, the national football team defeated the Singapore team 4:1 and won the fourth round of the top 36 of the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
"From the perspective of the entire game, we have always taken the initiative. I believe we are on the right path." Wu Lei, the captain of the national football team who scored twice in the game, said after the game.
Compared with the warm-up match more than ten years ago, this matchup is obviously more critical - a few days ago, the National Football Team World Cup preliminaries missed a good away game and were tied 2:2 by the Singapore team. Ended in a draw. If the national football team wants to qualify, it cannot afford to miss another home match against the Singaporean team.
After an unexpected draw, the morale of the national football team was very low. Wu Lei, who scored two goals but missed a penalty kick, said, "The whole team is disappointed." Captain Zhang Linpeng even expressed his intention to quit the national team when interviewed after the game. His first show as coach of the national football team failed to get off to a good start, and new coach Ivankovic admitted frankly that the "results were not ideal."
The Singapore team is no longer the "fish belly" of the past. Like the Chinese team, the Singapore team recently completed a coaching change, and Japanese coach Tsutomu Ogura took over. He once served as an assistant coach for the Japanese national team and has a good understanding of Asian football. The Singapore team's morale was boosted by tying with the Chinese team and gaining their first points in the World Cup preliminaries. Tsutomu Ogura revealed in his words that the Singapore team has the technical and tactical capabilities to defeat the Chinese team.
Returning to the home court, it was another "blessed place" where they once had a great victory over their opponents. However, the National Football Team had frequent accidents and dangers in this campaign. Although they scored first in the first half, the Singapore team took advantage of the Chinese team's defensive mistakes to equalize the score just 1 minute later. The national football team entered the second half with a heart-wrenching draw.
After changing sides and fighting again, the situation on the national football field has not improved yet. Although Fernando hit a penalty kick to give the national football team the lead, Li Yuanyi's red penalty later gave the opponent hope. The Singapore team pressed hard to strengthen the offensive, and the national football team was in danger of losing ground again.
In a passive situation, the national football team looked for opportunities to counterattack. At the critical moment, Wu Lei rushed into the half-court and volleyed from the left side of the penalty area. The morale of the whole team soared. The national football team soon ushered in the fourth goal. Wu Lei assisted Wei Shihao and succeeded in pushing the shot, sealing the victory.
With this victory, the national football team ended its embarrassing record of losing five official games, ushered in its first victory in 2024, and also maintained its hope of advancing to the top 18. But more importantly, this victory allowed the national football team to bid farewell to their depression, find themselves, and regain confidence.
The last game was tied and this game was equalized by lightning in the first half. You can imagine the pressure on the national football players. Wu Lei said that after returning from Singapore, the team made a lot of adjustments and efforts, and gradually came out of the disappointment. Even if it was equalized again, it could firmly implement the coach's skills and tactics. He was "proud of the team" for winning the game. ".
What makes Ivankovic "especially satisfied" is the improvement of the team's ability to withstand pressure. He revealed after the game that the Chinese team was quickly equalized in the first half, but the players were not greatly affected. In the following time, they were able to concentrate and create opportunities on offense. There were also many set pieces. This was all due to the players. Adhere to the results of techniques and tactics.
Of course, the national football team still has a lot of homework to do, especially starting from eliminating low-level mistakes, but this victory has given the team hope and direction.
The next match will be a home match against the Thai team. If the national football team wins, they will advance one round ahead of schedule. Although Wu Lei, who has accumulated yellow cards and has been suspended, and Li Yuanyi, who is red in this game, will not be able to play, Ivankovic said that he will go further. Understand the team, adjust the lineup, and use the whole to make up for the lack of personal ability. "The goal is to win."
After coming out of depression, Wu Lei is confident in the next journey of the national football team. "I hope everyone can maintain the momentum at the end of the game. We are on the right path and hope we can continue to bring happiness to the fans." Wu Lei said. (over)