The Chinese national soccer team, ranked 79th in the FIFA rankings, lost 1-2 in a closed friendly match against Hong Kong, ranked 150th in FIFA, at Baniyas Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 1st (Korea time).
According to China’s Sohu, China scored Tanlong’s first goal in the ninth minute of the first half to take the lead. However, Pun Puyhin of Kitchi SC scored the equalizer in the sixth minute of the second half. Then, in the 11th minute of the second half, midfielder Wang Sangyuan made insulting remarks to the referee and was shown a red card, putting him in crisis.
China, which was inferior in number, collapsed. It allowed Pun Puyhin to come from behind by allowing multiple goals at 15 minutes in the second half, and even Ushao Chong, its national team coach at 19 minutes in the second half, and defender, was sent off at 27 minutes in the second half, destroying itself. China ended up kneeling down.
It is the third consecutive A match. China lost 0-3 to South Korea in the second Asian qualifying round for the North-Central America World Cup in November last year, and also lost 0-2 to Oman on Dec. 29. In addition, Hong Kong, which is considered one step down, has also caught up, and the mood has subsided with the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup just around the corner, which will kick off on May 12. 온라인경마
It is the first time in 39 years that China lost to Hong Kong in an A-match. Sohu said, “It is a disgrace. Our last loss against Hong Kong was in a World Cup qualifier on May 19, 1985. At that time, China failed to advance to the second round of World Cup qualifiers for the first time, resulting in the May 19 incident. Since then, he has recorded 10 wins and six draws against Hong Kong.”
In fact, China lost to Hong Kong in the 1995 Dynastie Cup after a penalty shootout. However, the penalty shootout seems to have been excluded because it is considered a draw on the official record. The Chinese team began training camp in Shanghai on December 17 last year. Considering that the first group match of the Asian Cup will be held on the 13th, the team training session will take place for a whopping 27 days. It is the sixth longest period of training among Asian Cup participants. Some in China point out that excessive long-term and physical training is the cause of the sluggishness.
China is scheduled to hold a final exhibition match with a local UAE club team on May 5. This is the last chance to change the mood ahead of the Asian Cup main stage. “The Korean team, which was trying to prepare for the Asian Cup through the match against Hong Kong, reportedly performed worse than expected,” Sohu said. “Coach Alexander Yankovic has no time to express regret or dissatisfaction. We need to quickly dispel the negative atmosphere and help him get back on his feet. The challenge is how to get out of the trauma with time running out.”