China News Service, Tianjin, March 27th. In the World Cup qualifying match that ended on the evening of the 26th, Beijing time, the national football team defeated the Singaporean team 4:1 at home in Tianjin. In the game, Wu Lei had 2 shots and 1 pass, Fernando scored from a penalty kick, and Wei Shihao sealed the victory.
With this victory, the national football team maintained its hope of advancing to the top 18 and ended its five-game winless streak. This is also the team's first win since entering 2024.
The national football team is in the game. Photo by reporter Bian Liqun
In the last match last week, the national football team was tied 2:2 by the Singapore team in an away game. On the other hand, the Thai team drew with the South Korean team 1:1 in an away game. The situation of the national football team advancing to the top 18 of the Asian preliminaries of the World Cup suddenly became serious.
The starting lineup of the national football team will be fine-tuned for this game. Wang Dalei replaced Yan Junling as the starting goalkeeper, Gao Zhunyi replaced Zhang Linpeng as the right back, and midfielder Gao Tianyi replaced Wang Shangyuan. In terms of formation, the team still uses 4-4-2. From the perspective of adjustment ideas, it is more about optimizing the offense in the midfield and frontcourt.
The national football team starts. Image source: Chinese Football Team
In addition to technical and tactical adjustments, how the national football team gets rid of the negative impact of the last draw is also the key to determining the direction of the game.
Before the game, national football forward Wu Lei said that he did not play well in the last game and the entire team was disappointed after the game. But after returning to Tianjin, the whole team has come out of this emotion.
Wu Lei in the first game against Singapore. Image source: IC photo
In the opening stage, the national football team continued to attack. In the 3rd minute, the national football team set the ball in the frontcourt and Wu Lei's shot was blocked from the baseline. In the 19th minute, the national football team got a corner kick opportunity, and Zhang Yuning shot high from close range in front of the goal.
In the 20th minute, the national football team counterattacked quickly, Zhang Yuning passed the ball, Wu Lei dribbled the ball and scored, and the national football team led 1:0. However, in the 21st minute, the Singapore team scored with a blitz after serving, and the score was 1:1.
In the 30th minute, Fernando made a direct pass and Wu Lei missed the ball with a single chance. In the 33rd minute, Xie Pengfei made a pass from the right, and Wu Lei missed the header in front of the goal. In the 43rd minute, the national football team had a corner kick opportunity, and Gao Zhunyi's shot in front of the goal was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper.
The national football team is in the game. Photo by reporter Bian Liqun
The game changed again. In the 58th minute, the national football team made substitutions and Wei Shihao replaced Xie Pengfei. In the 62nd minute, Micro Motion was pulled down in the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty kick and Fernando made the penalty kick! The national football team beat the Singapore team 2:1.
In the 73rd minute, Wang Shangyuan replaced Fernando, and the team switched to double midfielders to strengthen defense. In the 83rd minute, Wu Lei broke through from the left and hit the far corner, scoring twice. He then assisted Wei Shihao to score.
In the end, the national football team defeated the Singapore team 4:1 at home.
According to the schedule, the national football team will face a key battle with the Thai team at home in June. Whether the national football team can retain its hope of competing in the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be revealed in this game. (over)