These are frustrating times for Chinese football. The national team suffered yet another defeat, this time against Australia, and it seems that from top to bottom, there is an acceptance that they simply cannot compete at this level. It was evident in the words of striker Xie Wen, who admitted to feeling powerless on the pitch. Even former player Van Zhiyi acknowledged that the team lacks the ability to compete in the Asian qualifiers, pointing out that their entry into this stage was due to the help of the Singaporean goalkeeper. In previous years, there would always be some bravado and promises of victory after a loss, but now, even the courage to speak out seems to have disappeared. The lack of confidence is evident in the statements of both young and old players, who genuinely believe that the Chinese team is not good enough. Without confidence, how can they continue?
The team's poor performance can partly be attributed to the strength of their opponents, such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, who are all regular World Cup participants. However, the main problem lies within the Chinese team itself. Over the past two years since the previous World Cup qualifiers, there have been issues with team organization and coaching choices. The strategy for the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year was questionable, as well as the scheduling of the league and preparations for the qualifiers. Everything seemed to be rushed, without a proper plan in place. The history of the team over the past 20 years raises questions about what has truly been learned.
In the same group, Indonesia managed to secure a draw against Bahrain, extending their unbeaten streak to three games. This presents another opportunity for China to avoid being at the bottom of the table by defeating Indonesia in their upcoming match. It may be a small goal, but it could provide a glimmer of hope for a team that desperately needs to bounce back.
