China News Service, Tianjin, March 27 (Reporter Xing Chong) The fourth round of the top 36 of the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup Asian Qualifiers was held on the 26th. The Chinese men's football team faced the Singapore team at home in Tianjin. In the first half, the national football team captain Wu Lei scored first, but the Singapore team quickly equalized. In the second half, Fernando hit a penalty kick. Wu Lei and Wei Shihao scored successively. The national football team defeated the Singapore team 4:1.
On the 21st of this month, in the third round of the round of 36, the Chinese men's football team led 2:0 at halftime, but was tied 2:2 by the Singapore team in the away game. After three games, the Chinese team won 1 and drew 1. With 1 loss and 4 points, it is temporarily ranked third in the group. If it wants to fight for the top two qualifying spots in the group, the national football team cannot afford to lose in this battle. Taking all three points is the team's goal.
Compared with the previous game, coach Ivankovic made some adjustments to the team's starting lineup. Micro Motion Wing replaced Zhang Linpeng in the starting lineup. The starting goalkeeper was changed from Yan Junling to Wang Dalei. Wu Lei served as the captain on the field. He and Zhang Yuning continued to play as a double The striker appears.
In the 21st minute of the game, the national football team counterattacked. Wu Lei got the ball and formed a single shot. After entering the penalty area, he calmly shot and scored. However, only 1 minute later, the Singapore team made a long pass from the backcourt. The national football team left back Liu Yang made a serious defensive error. The opponent With an easy pass, Lumley quickly scored after receiving the ball, and the Singapore team equalized the score in a flash. Then the national football team attacked with all their strength, but failed to score a goal.
In the 64th minute of the easy side battle, Micro Motion was pulled down in the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty kick. Fernando made the penalty kick and scored his first goal since representing the Chinese team in international competitions. However, Wu Lei received a yellow card in the 67th minute, and Li Yuan was sent off with a red card in the 79th minute after he tackled a Singaporean player.
In the 85th minute, the national football team counterattacked. Wu Lei dribbled the ball into the penalty area and shot into the far corner of the goal. The Chinese team led 3:1. In the 89th minute, Wu Lei sent an assist and Wei Shihao easily scored, helping the Chinese team seal the victory 4:1.
Wu Lei, who scored twice, said after the game that the team took the initiative throughout the game. "We made a lot of adjustments and efforts after the last game. Although we were quickly equalized by our opponents in the first half, our mentality was not affected. I believe we are on the right path."
In another match in the same group, the South Korean team defeated Thailand 3:0 away from home. After four rounds, the Chinese team's ranking rose to second place. In June this year, the national football team will also face the Thai team and the South Korean team. The home game against the Thai team is crucial and will determine whether the national football team can take the initiative to qualify.
Head coach Ivankovic said that in the coming time, he will have a deeper understanding of the Chinese team players, further adjust and fine-tune the lineup, and improve the overall strength of the team. (over)