Goal in sight, despite brave defeat

World Cup dream still alive, as Team China makes Japan work for its 3-1 win

Its qualifying prospects remain bleak and its winless run against Japan continues, yet Team China enjoyed a big morale-booster by making the mighty Samurai Blue bleed in a hard-fought Asian qualifier loss.

Roared on by a boisterous crowd of over 45,000 at the Egret Stadium in Xiamen, the Chinese men's team put up a gusty fight against Group C leader Japan in Tuesday's qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, restoring some dignity while keeping its hopes of advancing alive, despite a 3-1 defeat by its East Asian neighbor in Fujian province.

The loss, which has dragged China to bottom of the six-team group on goal-difference, was applauded by the majority of the team's long-suffering fans, though, given the players' much improved performance from the 7-0 mauling by Japan in September.