Xi Jinping: 'China's victory over Thailand was lucky'

US President Xi Jinping said he has no confidence in the Chinese football team, during a conversation with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

A video of the conversation between the two leaders was posted on the Thai government 's X account on the morning of November 18. Mr. Xi said he "can't play basketball" because his "hands are too small," then he raised his hand for Mr. Srettha to see.

"But I can play soccer," the Chinese leader added in both Chinese and English, then made a kicking motion twice.

Xi Jinping (left) talks with Srettha Thavisin on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco, California, USA on November 17, 2023. Photo: screenshot — Xi Jinping (left) talks with Srettha Thavisin on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco, California, USA on November 17, 2023. Photo: *screenshot*

Mr. Srettha laughed, then replied in English: "Do you like football too? I like football too. The Chinese team just beat Thailand last night, so we can't go on."

The interpreter added context for Xi, saying that China had beaten Thailand 2-1 in a World Cup qualifying match in Bangkok. Xi seemed unaware of this, replying: "Really?"

"But we were just lucky. Because I'm not sure about the football team. I'm not sure about the level of the team. We play up and down sometimes," the Chinese president added, making a wave-like hand gesture.

Mr. Tap: 'The Chinese team won against Thailand by luck' — Video of the conversation.

Xi Jinping likes three sports: football, basketball and volleyball. He once said he wanted to make China a football power by 2050 and had three dreams: China participating in the World Cup, hosting and winning the tournament. China participated in the World Cup once in 2002, when South Korea and Japan co-hosted.

Xi Jinping, 70, became General Secretary of the Communist Party of China in November 2012 and President four months later. When he became China’s highest-ranking leader, the country’s national football team was ranked 88th in the FIFA rankings. It is now ranked 79th, but has had little success over the past 10 years. They failed to qualify for the World Cup, nor did they advance past the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) is also facing problems, with its president Chen Xuyuan arrested in February 2023 for disciplinary violations. According to the British newspaper Guardian , the CFA is investing more heavily in women's football, forcing domestic clubs to build women's teams. When the Chinese men's team went to Thailand to play on the evening of November 16, they were not allowed to take a private plane as usual. They were also accompanied by only three reporters, and a few fans who saw them off at the airport.

Mr. Srettha became Prime Minister of Thailand on August 22, 2023, at the age of 61. He is a billionaire, real estate tycoon and also a close friend of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Before Thailand lost to China, he wrote a message of encouragement to the whole team through midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin. After the match, Chanathip responded online, apologizing to the Prime Minister and fans.

Thailand and China are in Group C of the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia, along with South Korea and Singapore. After the first round, South Korea and China lead with three points, while the other two teams have no points. After six rounds, the two teams with the highest points in each group will advance to the third round of qualifying.

Hoang An (according to UDN )

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