‘Cliffhanger’ Chinese soccer avoids elimination from World Cup qualifiers
Advances to dramatic final round ahead of ‘winner-take-all’ Thailand
The Chinese national soccer team has come back from the dead. After being eliminated from the second round of Asian qualifying for the FIFA Confederations Cup North America 2026 after a loss to South Korea, the Chinese national team dramatically advanced to the final round after tying Thailand on points, goal difference and goal differential.
Earlier, China lost 0-1 to South Korea in the final Group C match of the Asian Second Qualifying Round at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Nov. 11, with Lee Kang-In (Paris Saint-Germain) scoring the winning goal. China, who could have secured second place in the group and qualified for the final round with a draw or better against South Korea, ultimately missed the chance to qualify on their own.
China finished the second round of qualifying first with a record of 8 points (2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses) and a goal difference of 0 (9 goals scored – 9 goals conceded). China’s fate now depended on the outcome of the final Group C match between Thailand and Singapore at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Thailand faced Singapore, the weakest team in the group, with 5 points (1 win, 2 draws, 2 losses) and a goal differential of -2 (6 goals for, 9 goals against). A win by three goals or more would have tied Thailand and China on points, and allowed Thailand to move into second place in the group due to their superior goal difference. It was also a scenario in which China would be eliminated without even making it through the second qualifying round.
In reality, however, Thailand did not make it easy for Singapore, who finished last with one point (1D, 4L) and four goals for and 21 against. Despite dominating possession and attacking hard, they were repeatedly thwarted by a terrible lack of finishing. Goals came and went, but never came.
Thailand finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Supanat Mueanta scored off a pass from Songkrasin. Songkrasin’s 토토사이트 ground-ball cross from the left side of the penalty box was finished by the onrushing Mueanta.
With a clear path, it was important to see how much further they could extend the gap, but Thailand’s lack of finishing continued. In fact, they conceded a crucial equalizer in the 12th minute of the second half on a counterattack. At 1-1, Thailand needed three goals again. Thailand quickly looked to add to their lead, but their shots were either blocked by Singapore’s physical defense or hit the post.
It wasn’t until the final minutes of the second half that Thailand finally broke through. In the 34th minute, Poramet Arivirai curled in a shot from the left side that went straight into the Singapore net. In the 41st minute, Jaroensak Wongorn headed home a side cross that was deflected by the opposing goalkeeper. The score was 3-1.
But Thailand needed one more goal. They were tied with China on points, goal differential, and goal difference, and the winner of the match would 메이저사이트 decide the tournament’s ranking. Earlier, Thailand had drawn 1-1 with China in qualifying. They needed a goal to dramatically move up to second place and qualify for the World Cup finals.
With seven minutes of extra time on the clock, Thailand made a last-ditch push. However, Singapore’s goal was not to be. The game ended with a 3-1 victory for Thailand. Thailand was not smiling after their 3-1 victory. The players fell to the ground and swallowed their disappointment. On the other hand, Chinese soccer fans, who were waiting for Thailand’s result after losing 0-1 to South Korea, celebrated instead. It was a moment of near-death experience.