Stuck again against weak opponent, Chinese team faces risk of elimination

Coach Aleksandar Jankovic is under great pressure to beat Lebanon to get China back on track at the 2023 Asian Cup. Ranked 79th in the world , China are expected to beat Lebanon (ranked 107th in the world), who were defeated 3-0 by hosts Qatar in the tournament's opening match.

China's number 1 striker Wu Lei (left) is silent again

Coach Jankovic's team was held to a 0-0 draw by weaker opponent Tajikistan in the opening match of Group A. This partly made the Chinese players enter the match with Lebanon with a tense mentality. Because if they do not win 3 points in this match, China will be at risk of being eliminated because they will have to face the host Qatar in the final round of Group A.

With the goal of having to win, both teams played quite fiercely right after the opening whistle. Coach Jankovic's team was better in controlling the ball but lacked cohesion between the lines and strikers Wu Lei and Zhang Yuning lacked finesse in finishing whenever China had a chance.

The West Asian team almost punished the Chinese defense if Hasan Matouk's right-footed shot had not been denied by the crossbar in the first half. In the second half, the brilliance of goalkeeper Yan Junling helped coach Jankovic's team avoid conceding a goal against dangerous opportunities from Hasan Srour and Maher Sabra (Lebanon).

China (blue shirt) continues to disappoint

Powerless against the opponent's defense, the Serbian coach was forced to renew the attack by replacing number 1 striker Wu Lei, Zhang Yuning and Xu Xin with Liangming Lin, Tan Long, Wu Xi in the second half. However, the pressure that China created was not enough to penetrate the Lebanese net.

With a "silence" after 2 matches, China has 2 points, while Lebanon has earned its first point. Therefore, the risk of early elimination in the group stage of both teams is hanging in the balance. Because in the final match taking place on January 22, China will face Qatar - the host and defending champion, while Lebanon will fight Tajikistan to maintain hope of competing for a ticket to the next round.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/lai-be-tac-truoc-doi-thu-yeu-doi-tuyen-trung-quoc-doi-mat-nguy-co-bi-loai-185240115225559508.htm