Akram Afif of Qatar attempts to break through Chinese defence during their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifier which took place at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday. China won 2-1. Picture: Baher Amin/The Peninsula
China’s hopes to secure a play-off place for next year’s World Cup were dashed despite a 2-1 comeback win against the 2022 hosts Qatar at the state of the art Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday.
China were badly in need of a heavy win in Doha, but also had to rely on the outcome of the other two qualifiers of the day, involving Uzbekistan and Syria. With both matches ending in stalemates, China finished in fourth place in Group A with 12 points. Syria finish third in the group.
Qatar were looking for a consolation win to end their campaign on a successful note, and their young football prodigy Akram Afif put the home side ahead in the 46th minute, scoring from close range.
But Xiao Zhi then equalized for China in the 74th minute after a sliding finish to convert a cross from Jiang Zhipeng.
The visitors were then reduced to 10 men with just 10 minutes remaining when captain Zheng Zhi was sent off for bringing down Afif.
Nine minutes after their first goal, Chinese playmaker Wu Lei was in the right place at the right time to direct the ball into the net with a fierce shot, which proved to be the winner.
China’s coach Marcello Lippi spoke on positive note following yesterday’s win at the Khalifa Stadium.
“When I was first appointed nobody told me to get to the World Cup,” said the Italian after the match.
“They asked me to build up a very strong team.”
“We were unlucky, we didn’t get the results we deserved,” added Lippi.
China’s win also meant that Qatar signed of their campaign at the sixth position of Group A with seven points.
Qatar’s coach Felix Sanchez was positive despite yesterday’s outcome of the match, and said that there is a lot of young players which could boost Qatar’s hopes in future.
“We have a lot of very young players, we will keep working with them,” he said.
Elsewhere, it was a different story for South Koreans as a goalless draw against Uzbekistan was enough for them to secure a place in the Russia 2018 tournament.
Meanwhile, Syria continued their impressive qualifying campaign to keep their hopes alive when they managed to hold group leaders Iran in a 2-2 draw.
Despite troubled situation back at home, Syria’s performances in the qualifiers had received praises world-wide, and they have come close to touching distance for its first World Cup. Syria must now get through two play-off rounds to reach their maiden World Cup finals.
