The national football team regains its confidence after winning its first victory in the top 18 of the World Preliminaries
On the evening of October 15, the China national men’s football team achieved a significant victory over Indonesia, winning 2-1 at Qingdao Youth Football Stadium. This win marked China’s first success in the third round of the Asian qualifying matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering three consecutive defeats.
The match saw China take the lead in the 21st minute with a goal from Ba Hela Mu, followed by another from Zhang Yuning just before halftime in the 44th minute. Although Indonesia managed to score in the second half, China held on to secure their win.
The emotional reactions were palpable, with Zhang Yuning in tears after his goal and captain Wang Dalei visibly moved on the field post-match. For head coach Ivan Kovic and the team, this victory was crucial for relieving pressure and reigniting their confidence.
Kovic described the match against Indonesia as “the true beginning of the battle,” emphasizing the team’s need for a win to avoid further setbacks in the group stage. Following three tough matches against top Asian teams like Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, China’s strategy relied on claiming points from relatively weaker opponents like Indonesia and Bahrain to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
Despite being ranked over 30 places lower than China, Indonesia has made substantial progress in recent years by integrating several naturalized European players, adapting a more European style of play. They managed to draw with Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Bahrain in previous matches, showcasing their competitive strength. Prior to the game, Indonesia’s Korean head coach, Shin Tae-yong, mentioned that the match was evenly poised, with the outcome determined by both teams’ ability to capitalize on opportunities—and perhaps a bit of luck.
This time, the odds favored China, who demonstrated a strong offensive spirit right from the start. Learning from past mistakes, the team maintained focus throughout the match and battled hard until the final whistle. “Everyone played like warriors,” Zhang reflected after the game, crediting their unity and collective effort. “We all fought for the team with no reservations.”
Goalkeeper Wang Dalei was outstanding, making five crucial saves and earning the Man of the Match title. He spoke about overcoming the challenges from previous matches where he conceded numerous goals. “I’ve played many games, but I’ve never experienced conceding 12 goals in three matches,” he said. “I received a lot of support from family, friends, coaches, and teammates, for which I’m very grateful. It’s an honor to represent my country.”
Kovic also highlighted the return of Wu Lei, who participated in pre-match training after recovering from an injury and was included in the substitutes. “We decided to keep Wu Lei on the bench, but he could play for 10 to 20 minutes if needed, reflecting our teamwork and commitment,” he remarked.
Indonesia acknowledged China’s demonstrated determination in this match, with Shin expressing surprise at the speed of China’s long passes and praising their performance.
With one win and three losses after four matches, China remains at the bottom of their group. However, players are feeling more optimistic about their upcoming away match against Bahrain. Ba Hela Mu stated, “After this game, I believe we will do better. If we play like this, victory against Bahrain should be within reach.”
“We’ll take it one match at a time, just like today, and keep our fighting spirit alive. You can see the momentum we have on the field; it’s something we need to maintain,” Zhang concluded.
