⚽️ In a thrilling AFC qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, China put up a spirited fight against Japan at Xiamen's buzzing stadium in southeast China's Fujian Province on Tuesday. Despite their efforts, the home team faced a 3-1 defeat, marking a challenging moment in their World Cup journey.
🇨🇳 vs. 🇯🇵 matches are always electrifying, and this one was no exception! The first 30 minutes saw both teams testing the waters, with neither creating clear opportunities to score. However, Japan struck first in the 39th minute when Koki Ogawa headed in a corner kick, putting the visitors ahead 1-0.
Just before halftime, Japan extended their lead with another goal from a corner. Koki Machida's precise header found Ko Itakura, who made it 2-0. But China wasn't about to back down! 💪
In the second half, the Chinese team came back with renewed energy. They pressed forward, and their perseverance paid off when they netted a goal, igniting the crowd! 🎉 However, Japan managed to secure a third goal, sealing the match at 3-1.
This was the second face-off between the two teams in this qualifying stage. In their previous encounter, China faced a tough 7-0 loss but bounced back with impressive wins over Indonesia and Bahrain. The team's resilience shows they're not out of the game yet! 🌟
Next up, China will look to regroup and come back stronger. The road to the World Cup is never easy, but with the support of their fans and unwavering determination, anything is possible! 🚀
Stay tuned, football fans! The journey continues, and there's plenty more action on the horizon. ⚡️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
