In a stunning display at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Japan, the Chinese national football team suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat to Japan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifier on Thursday.
Japan dominated the match from the outset, with Takumi Minamino leading the charge by scoring two goals. Teammates Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma, Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda, and Takefusa Kubo each added to the tally, showcasing Japan’s formidable offensive strength.
The statistical difference between the two teams was stark. Japan took 17 shots with nine on target, converting seven into goals. They controlled 77.2% of ball possession compared to China’s 22.8%, and led 5-2 in corner kicks. China managed only one shot during the entire match, which was not on target.
This loss marks China’s second-biggest international defeat, surpassed only by an 8-0 loss to Brazil in 2012. It has been 26 years since China last secured a victory against Japan, highlighting the growing gap between the two teams on the international stage.
“We specifically focused on defense during our pre-match preparations, but we conceded too many goals during the game, and some of those should not have happened,” China’s head coach Branko Ivankovic remarked after the match. “Twelve of the players on this national team are relatively new to international competition. The opponents in the final stage of Asian qualification are very strong, and such important games are valuable experiences, but also serve as lessons for younger players.”
In other Group C matches, Bahrain pulled off an upset by defeating Australia 1-0 at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast. Indonesia held Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The stakes are high in Group C, with the top two teams securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The teams finishing third and fourth will continue to compete in the fourth round, keeping their World Cup hopes alive.
Reference(s):
China's coach Ivankovic on 7-0 loss to Japan: 'most difficult night'
cgtn.com
