The wounds are still raw, the humiliation still stinging. Just two short months ago, China suffered one of their worst defeats in recent memory, a soul-crushing 7-0 annihilation at the hands of Japan in their opening match of the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was a result that sent shockwaves through Chinese football, prompting some serious soul-searching and no small amount of national embarrassment.
But now, China has a chance at redemption. On Tuesday, they will once again face off against their tormentors, an opportunity to show how far they’ve come and perhaps salvage some much-needed pride. The stakes could not be higher – with Japan comfortably atop the group and seemingly destined for qualification, China finds themselves in a dogfight for the second automatic spot and a chance to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
A Resurgent China?
To be fair, China’s form since that fateful September night has been encouraging. Back-to-back wins over Indonesia and Bahrain have steadied the ship and breathed new life into their campaign. According to those close to the team, coach Branko Ivanković deserves much of the credit, making some bold personnel decisions that have paid dividends.
The introduction of youngsters like defender Jiang Shenglong and striker Behram Abduweli has injected energy and hunger into the side. A tactical shift to a midfield diamond has made China harder to break down and more effective at winning the ball higher up the pitch. And perhaps most surprisingly, the team has looked more cohesive and dangerous without talismanic forward Wu Lei, out injured but struggling for form at international level.
Japan Still the Gold Standard
Of course, Japan will present an entirely different challenge. The Samurai Blue have been in scintillating form, winning 10 of their 11 qualifiers thus far and scoring an astonishing 43 goals along the way. Only fellow Asian heavyweights Australia have managed to take a point off them, and even that required a herculean defensive effort.
Japan are on a different level right now. They have so much quality and depth, and they play with such intensity and cohesion. It’s going to take an almost perfect performance to get anything from them.
– A source close to the Chinese national team
For China, simply avoiding another thrashing would be a step in the right direction. A spirited, competitive display, even in defeat, could provide a platform to build on for the crucial matches to come. With only three points separating second from fifth in the group, the margin for error is slim.
A Chance to Prove Their Progress
And so China will take the field in Xiamen on Tuesday, determined to show they are not the same team that capitulated so meekly in September. They’ll be buoyed by their recent upturn in form, the emergence of new talents, and the tactical tweaks that have made them more solid and stubborn.
But most of all, they’ll be driven by a desire to make amends, to prove to their fans and to themselves that they belong on the same pitch as Asia’s best. It’s a tall order, a monumental challenge against a Japan side in peak form. But for China, it’s an opportunity they must seize, a chance to change the narrative and keep their World Cup hopes burning bright.
One thing is for sure: come the final whistle on Tuesday, we’ll have a much clearer picture of just how far this Chinese team has come…and how far they still have to go. Redemption awaits, but Japan stands firmly in their way.
