China's Football Team Suffers Third Straight Loss, Falls 0-1 to Tajikistan
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
China's national football team extended their winless streak to three matches after a 0-1 defeat to Tajikistan in a friendly at Chongqing Longxing Stadium. Wei Shihao was sent off in the 59th minute for elbowing, compounding the hosts' problems after a goalkeeping error led to Tajikistan's winning goal. The defeat came despite China having never lost to Tajikistan in six previous meetings, with the team now facing scrutiny ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup.
Key Points
- Tajikistan midfielder Vahdat Hanonov scored in the 53rd minute after China goalkeeper Liu Dianzuo fumbled a routine save
- Wei Shihao received a second yellow card and was sent off six minutes later for elbowing an opponent
- China managed just 4 shots compared to Tajikistan's 10 attempts, with possession at only 31% throughout the match
- This marks China's first-ever defeat to Tajikistan after previously winning four and drawing two of six encounters
- Head coach Shao Jiaji apologized to fans, stating: "We need a process to improve, including a process of trial and error"
Why It Matters
The three-game losing streak without scoring, conceding nine goals total, raises serious questions about China's readiness for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, where they will face Iran, Syria, and Kyrgyzstan in Group C. With the World Ranking dropping to 96th place, the team's deteriorating performance could impact future seeding and qualification prospects for major tournaments.