DOHA: After back-to-back draws at the start of the Asian Cup, China likely need at least a point against host and defending champion Qatar to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stage.
A 0-0 draw with Lebanon on Wednesday left both nations’ hopes of reaching the round of 16 in the balance.
While China are second in Group A on two points, they have the daunting task of facing Qatar in their final game, knowing defeat could see them overtaken by Lebanon or Tajikistan.
“We know that we depend on ourselves and that is something that every team would like to be in that position before the last game,” China coach Aleksandar Jankovic said.
“So, we depend on ourselves. No matter (if) we play against a host country... Qatar with their World Cup experience, we still depend on ourselves, and I always like to be in this kind of situation.”
Lebanon hit the bar twice and China saw an effort cleared off the line as they had to share the points at Al Thumama Stadium.
Lebanon lost 3-0 to Qatar in their opening game and are bottom of the group with one point, but they could still advance.
“It’s a very important point for us especially after a tough defeat against Qatar,” coach Miodrag Radulovic said. “We hit two posts, but unfortunately we didn’t score again. I’m satisfied with this point because we are still in the game to the end for the next round.”
Hassan Maatouk and Hasan Srour hitting the bar for Lebanon either side of halftime.
Wu Lei thought he’d broken the deadlock for China in the 65th minute, but his close-range range shot was hooked off the line.
China, a quarterfinalist in each of the last two Asian Cups, went into this game knowing their chances of advancing were in jeopardy after a 0-0 draw with Tajikistan in their opening match.
They likely need at least a point against Qatar to have a chance of advancing as runner-up or one of the best third-placed teams.
Qatar lead Group A with three points, and they were facing Tajikistan on Wednesday with the chance to secure their place in the round of 16. Third-placed Tajikistan also have one point.
China came close to scoring in the first half when Lebanon goalkeeper Mostafa Matar twice denied Zhang Yuning in one threatening attack.
Substitute Lin Liangming should have been more clinical late in the match, but headed wide when unmarked right in front of goal.
China and Lebanon settle for 0-0 draw to leave Asian Cup progress in the balance
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China and Lebanon settle for 0-0 draw to leave Asian Cup progress in the balance
- A 0-0 draw with Lebanon on Wednesday left both nations’ hopes of reaching the round of 16 in the balance
- Lebanon hit the bar twice and China saw an effort cleared off the line as they had to share the points at Al Thumama Stadium
Arsenal hoist first Women’s Champions Cup in thrilling win over Corinthians
- Foord beat goalkeeper Lele at her near post in the 104th minute to earn a dramatic winner over the Copa Libertadores champions in front of a crowd that included FIFA president Gianni Infantino
- As the winners of FIFA’s new intercontinental tournament featuring champions from all six confederations, Arsenal will collect a $2.3 million prize
LONDON: Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord struck in extra time to power them to victory in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup on Sunday, defeating Brazil’s Corinthians 3-2 in a rain-soaked final at the Emirates Stadium.
Reigning Champions League winners Arsenal looked set to seal the title in normal time, leading 2-1 before Vic Albuquerque converted a 96th-minute penalty to force extra time.
Olivia Smith and Lotte Wubben-Moy also scored for Renee Slegers’ team before Foord beat goalkeeper Lele at her near post in the 104th minute to earn a dramatic winner over the Copa Libertadores champions in front of a crowd that included FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“It’s not often that at Arsenal you can write history because history has been written so many times,” Wubben-Moy told Sky Sports.
“We stand on the shoulders of giants. To come to this inaugural competition and win it and do it with all of our fans here in style — — our fans are wonderful and that’s who we do it for.
“To win the first silverware this year is a big leap forward. We want more. Stick with us, 2026 has more to come.”
As the winners of FIFA’s new intercontinental tournament featuring champions from all six confederations, Arsenal will collect a $2.3 million prize.
The one negative on the night was Arsenal’s goalkeeper Anneke Borbe being carried off on a stretcher following a collision with teammate Wubben-Moy late in extra time.
The timing of the tournament favored Arsenal, who are in the midst of their Women’s Super League season, while Corinthians are in their pre-season and CONCACAF Champions Cup winners Gotham FC are in their off-season.
Arsenal had thrashed Moroccan champions AS FAR 6-0 in Wednesday’s semifinals, while Corinthians had edged Gotham, of the National Women’s Soccer League, 1-0 in the other semis.
Gotham secured third place with a 4-0 win against AS FAR earlier on Sunday.
