On October 15th, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers saw a pivotal match for the Chinese national football team. In Round 4 of the Asian qualifiers held in Qingdao, China, the team managed to secure a 2-1 victory over Indonesia, ending a three-match losing streak. However, with only three points from four matches, China remains at the bottom of their group.
In Group C, China is up against formidable opponents including Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Indonesia. According to the rules, the top two teams from this group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the teams finishing third and fourth will have a chance to compete in playoff matches.
Before this match, China had faced a devastating three-match losing streak, suffering a 7-0 defeat against Japan, a 2-1 comeback loss to Saudi Arabia at home, and another 3-1 reversal against Australia. Prior to the fourth round, China and Kyrgyzstan were the only two teams in the qualifiers without any points.
As per the latest FIFA world rankings, China is positioned at 91st, while Indonesia sits at 129th, making them the lowest-ranked team in Group C. Interestingly, China hasn’t lost to Indonesia in 67 years, making this match a crucial one for the team.
Despite their lower ranking, Indonesia fielded several naturalized players and showcased a style of play reminiscent of European football. Indonesia entered this match with three draws under their belt, remaining undefeated thus far.
Before the game, China’s head coach, Ivan Kovic, mentioned that the team underwent targeted training by analyzing their opponents’ strengths, aiming for thorough execution on the field. Li Yuan-yi also expressed the team’s determination to claim all three points at home, describing this match as a do-or-die situation.
Returning to the squad was Wu Lei, who was still recovering from injury and started the game on the bench. Kovic opted for a 4-4-2 formation, with Wang Dalei in goal; the defensive lineup included Li Lei, Jiang Shenglong, Jiang Guangtai, and Gao Zhunyi; the midfield consisted of Li Yuan-yi, Wang Shangyuan, Wei Shihao, and Xie Wenning; and the front included Zhang Yuning and Bai Helamu. Compared to the previous match, both Gao Zhunyi and Bai Helamu earned starting spots.
From the outset, Indonesia took the offensive, controlling a staggering 75% of possession in the opening 15 minutes and creating threats down the flanks. China focused on defense, limiting their opponents’ opportunities.
In the 21st minute, China seized a counterattack opportunity, leading to a set-piece situation. Gao Zhunyi connected with Li Lei’s pass for a header, setting up Jiang Shenglong to assist Bai Helamu, who found the net with a shot from inside the box. This marked the first time in three matches that China scored first.
With Indonesia trailing, they pushed their formation forward, which opened up more spaces for China to exploit in counterattacks. In the 40th minute, Wei Shihao was fouled while advancing, allowing China to create another scoring chance from a set play. Bai Helamu delivered a cross that sadly sailed just over Jiang Shenglong’s head.
Just before halftime, Zhang Yuning extended the lead after receiving a brilliant pass from Gao Zhunyi, giving China a rare two-goal advantage in the current qualifiers.
As the second half commenced, the intensity escalated, especially from the desperate Indonesian side, as players frequently hit the deck. Although China trailed in possession, they held their ground. However, in the 86th minute, a defensive lapse allowed Indonesia’s Haye to score from close range.
Fortunately, China held onto the 2-1 lead until the final whistle, marking a crucial win to break their losing streak. Both China and Indonesia now have three points, but China remains in sixth place in the group due to a significant goal difference deficit.
Looking ahead, China will face Bahrain in their fifth match on November 14th.
