According to Vietnamese media SOHA, the Chinese national football team suffered a crushing 0-7 defeat against Japan in their first match of the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Such a result is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Chinese national team and its fans.
Before the game, experts generally believed that the Chinese team would struggle against Japan – after all, Japan is one of the top teams in Asia. However, even the most pessimistic Chinese fans probably did not expect that the Chinese team would lose 0-7 at Saitama Stadium.
With its strong strength, Japan quickly took the initiative after the opening whistle and launched fierce attacks. Although the home team did not start at full throttle and the game pace was relatively steady, Japan could always speed up at critical moments, easily piercing through China’s fragile defense.
The game reached the 12th minute when Hideo Yutaka scored a header from a corner kick on the left side, opening the scoring for the home team. The negligence in China’s defense was evident.
This early goal made Japan’s offense smoother. The home team had a clear advantage in possession, with midfielders flexibly coordinating and continuously pressuring China’s goal. In the stoppage time of the first half, Kaoru Takamine’s cross assisted Koito Hatsui to head the ball into China’s net, changing the score to 2-0.
China’s nightmare worsened in the second half, as wave after wave of Japan’s attacks broke through China’s defense.
In just six minutes (from the 52nd to the 58th minute), Minamino Takumi scored twice, making the score 4-0, and China’s morale plummeted.
The subsequent part of the game almost became a performance by Japan, with China barely able to turn the tide. Japan scored three more goals in the 77th minute, the 87th minute, and the last moment of stoppage time, completed by Junya Ito, Daisaku Maeda, and Takefusa Kubo respectively.
Ultimately, the match ended with a humiliating 7-0 scoreline, shocking all Chinese fans. This result pales in comparison to Vietnam’s performance in the third round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, where they drew 1-1 away with Japan.
This crushing defeat leaves China at the bottom of the standings in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, facing immense public pressure.
Vietnamese Media: We Drew with Japan in the Last Qualifiers, China Suffers a Crushing Defeat. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/football-world/vietnamese-media-we-drew-with-japan-in-the-last-qualifiers-china-suffers-a-crushing-defeat.html
