Home team wins against Thailand, Chinese fans still criticize Wu Lei

"It's really not easy, why is it so hard to win against Thailand now?" a Chinese fan expressed after witnessing his team come from behind to defeat Thailand in the opening match of Group C of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup on the evening of November 16.

Đội nhà thắng Thái Lan, cổ động viên Trung Quốc vẫn chỉ trích Wu Lei - 1 — The Chinese team struggled to come from behind to defeat Thailand in the opening match of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup (Photo: AP).

Visiting Thailand's Rajamangala Stadium on the evening of November 16, the Chinese team did not start well and conceded the first goal in the 23rd minute after a goal by Sarach Yooyen. However, just 7 minutes later, striker Wu Lei brought the equalizer 1-1 for China.

Entering the second half, the Thai team could no longer maintain pressure when midfielder Chanathip was injured and left the field.

China scored in the 74th minute when Xie Pengfei took advantage of a mistake by the Thai defense, before crossing the ball for Wang Shangyuan to head past goalkeeper Patiwat. This was also the goal that sealed the final score of 2-1 for China.

Speaking after the match, China's Serbian coach Alexander Jankovic admitted his team did not play well in the first half when the players lacked confidence against Thailand, but played better in the second half.

"The opening match is always a difficult one, not to mention it is an away match. Furthermore, we conceded the first goal. However, the Chinese national team played well, followed the tactics and scored important goals," said coach Jankovic.

However, for Chinese fans, the comeback victory against Thailand did not make them feel satisfied, especially the missed shots of top striker Wu Lei in this match.

Đội nhà thắng Thái Lan, cổ động viên Trung Quốc vẫn chỉ trích Wu Lei - 2 — Chinese fans advised their team to keep a cool head after the victory over Thailand in order to go far in the World Cup qualifiers (Photo: AP).

"Wu Lei looked like he had too much alcohol before the match, always swaying and falling down. If you give him 10 chances, he will miss 9. Luckily he played against Thailand, otherwise he would be useless against teams of higher level," a Chinese fan commented on Sina Sport.

"Congratulations on China's victory, but disappointed with Wu Lei's performance. His finishing skills are very bad, his thinking is poor and he is too greedy in scoring goals.

I don't understand why he has played football for so many years but hasn't improved his finishing ability," another fan criticized the number one striker of the Chinese team.

"There was a big problem with the choice of manager. Under Jankovic, there was no player who could control the ball, run off the ball or pass the ball really well. The defence was not good, while the midfield did not control the middle.

"The Thai team played better than China in midfield, but the finishing of the strikers was quite bad. Otherwise, the Chinese team would have conceded two to three goals," another Chinese fan said.

"Don't rush to praise the Chinese team after their win over Thailand. Let's see what they can do when they meet South Korea in the next match. Remember, since their only World Cup appearance in 2002, they have never played in the most exciting tournament on the planet. This is only the second qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup," a fan concluded.

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