On September 23, in the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup play-off match, Auckland City, featuring Chinese player Zhou Tong, lost 2-6 to Al Ain.
In this match, Zhou Tong came on as a substitute, and ultimately, the team lost 2-6 to Al Ain, failing to qualify for the main draw of the Club World Cup. After the game, Zhou Tong wrote on his personal social media:
The 2024 FIFA Club World Cup has ended, with a result that was expected. I did my best… The most impressive thing wasn’t the Olympic top scorer from the Asian champions, nor the core player KAKU, nor the starting South Korean midfielder; it was their group of post-2000s players, who performed exceptionally well… Sincerely hope that everyone in this field works together to improve Chinese football. Finally: Don’t give up on your dreams just because there’s no applause – A tribute to my own efforts
-Unable to Defeat Al Ain! Zhou Tong: Their Young Players Performed Exceptionally Well; Hope Chinese Football Can Improve. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/football-world/unable-to-defeat-al-ain-zhou-tong-their-young-players-performed-exceptionally-well-hope-chinese-football-can-improve.html
