In the World Cup qualifiers, the Chinese national football team suffered a 1-3 defeat against Australia, resulting in a disappointing three consecutive losses at the start of the 18-team round.
On October 10 at 17：10, the third round of Group C in the third stage (18-team round) of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (held by the United States, Canada, and Mexico) took place between China and Australia at the Adelaide Oval in Australia. In the end, China suffered a 1-3 defeat, marking their third consecutive loss. In the 20th minute, Xie Wen opened the scoring; in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Miller equalized with a header. In the 53rd minute, Goodwin provided an assist and scored with a long-range shot. In the second minute of stoppage time, substitute Velupillay sealed the victory.
The performance of the Chinese national football team in the World Cup Asian qualifiers has been disappointing. In a match held at the Adelaide Oval in Australia, the Chinese team lost 1-3 to the host Australia, marking their third consecutive defeat in this stage of the competition.
The match began with a strong showing from China, as Xie Wenneng broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. This goal boosted the team’s morale, but the advantage was short-lived. In the stoppage time of the first half, Australia’s Miller equalized with a header.
In the second half, Australia clearly intensified their offensive efforts. In the 53rd minute, Goodwin demonstrated outstanding individual skill, scoring a long-range shot that put Australia ahead. Although China attempted to launch a comeback, they failed to change the outcome. Near the end of the match, substitute Velupillay secured the victory for Australia, sealing the final score at 3-1.
This defeat has placed the Chinese team in a more difficult situation in the qualifiers. The opening with three consecutive losses has significantly reduced the team’s hopes of advancing to the next stage, while also exposing deficiencies in tactical execution and on-field adaptability.
After the match, China’s head coach Jankovic stated, “We put in the effort during the game, but the result is disappointing. We need to carefully analyze this match, identify the problems, and make improvements in the upcoming games.”
Looking ahead, the Chinese team faces severe challenges. To reverse the current slump in the remaining matches, the team needs comprehensive improvements in tactical planning, player form, and psychological adjustments. Meanwhile, the Chinese Football Association also needs to provide more support for the national team, including better training conditions and more opportunities for friendly matches.
Although the chances of qualification are slim, each game is a valuable opportunity for international competition experience. The Chinese team should cherish the remaining matches, strive to improve their competitive level, and accumulate experience for future development.
In the current football landscape, narrowing the gap with Asia’s strong teams will take time. However, through continuous effort and improvement, it is believed that Chinese football will eventually achieve a qualitative leap forward.