China one win from clinching Asian Cup spot
Print Edition
China can put a lackluster qualifying campaign behind it and write more positive headlines for the national game by clinching its Asian Cup spot in a game against Saudi Arabia today.
Victory in Xian against the already qualified Saudis would put China into its 11th consecutive Asian Cup, with a game -- a tough away fixture against Iraq Ñ to spare.
It would also mark a significant achievement for caretaker manager Fu Bo, who took over after the dismissal of Juan Antonio Camacho.
China is one of six teams who can seal their Australia 2015 berth this week, with Iran, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman also hoping to book their tickets.
Chinese football has long suffered both on and off the pitch, with a continually disappointing national team and a major corruption scandal in the domestic league.
However, this month Guangzhou Evergrande won the AFC Champions League, China’s first Asian title in 23 years, in a sign that things are looking up for the cashed-up Chinese.
Progress has been fitful towards Australia 2015, with an away draw against cellar-dweller Indonesia and a tight home win against Iraq leaving Chinese fans on tenterhooks.
But Friday’s 1-0 win in the home leg against Indonesia was enough to put Fu’s men within sight of one of Group C’s two qualifying spots.
Fu has now led China on a seven-match unbeaten run, but said its finishing must improve if it is to beat the Saudis for the first time since 1997.
“Our team is improving gradually, gaining experiences from big tournaments,” said Fu after the narrow win over Indonesia. “If we had done well with the counter-attacks in the second half, we would have had more advantage.”
China’s cause may be helped by the fact that the Saudis have already clinched their spot in Australia after a 2-1 victory over Iraq in Dammam last Friday.
Three-time champion Iran could also seal qualification for a 13th consecutive time with an away draw against Lebanon, whom it beat 5-0 at home in its Group B opener.
Lebanon is now locked in a battle for Group B’s second automatic spot with Kuwait, which can go through if it beats Thailand at home and Iran wins.
In Group A, Oman will advance if it beats Syria in Tehran. Qatar needs just a draw against Malaysia in Group D and 2011 semifinalist Uzbekistan will progress from Group E if it wins in Hong Kong.
Today’s games are the penultimate round of fixtures, with qualifying then going on hold until the final matches in March.
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