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
Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah fall behind in title race as points dropped against Al-Fateh
- The Knights of the East move onto 44 points after 1-1 draw, six behind leaders Al-Hilal
- Julian Quiñones nets 18th goal of the season to move second in goal rankings
RIYADH: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli will breathe a sigh of relief after Al-Fateh held Al-Qadsiah to a 1-1 draw at the culmination of Matchday 21 in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Qadsiah now sit three points adrift of Al-Ahli, five behind Al-Nassr and six behind Al-Hilal.
Al-Fateh, who continue to rise up the table after a difficult start to the season, entered the encounter with a set of changes made by José Manuel Gomes. Looking to counter Brendan Rodgers’ 5-3-2, the visitors set up in a similar formation, with Sofiane Bendebka operating higher up the pitch to press Julian Weigl.
The match began at a frantic pace, with two goals arriving in quick succession. Al-Qadsiah’s right flank has continued to be a target for opposition sides, with the space behind Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat exposing Jehad Thekri to repeated one-on-one situations.
Naif Masoud dribbled his way into the box before releasing Wesley Delgado down his left. The Cape Verde international squared for Matías Vargas, who finished with precision past Koen Casteels in the eighth minute.
Shortly after, Al-Qadsiah made their way back into the game. While Abu Al-Shamat’s marauding runs can leave space for opposition wingers, his attacking contributions remain a vital part of Al-Qadsiah’s play. A through ball from a tight angle found Julian Quiñones, who finished to equalize and make his 14th goal contribution in 10 games.
Despite the quick response, Al-Qadsiah struggled to find a way back into the game. Fernando Pacheco stood firm in Al-Fateh’s goal, making four saves on the night, as the hosts fired 19 attempts across the 90 minutes.
A final attempt for Al-Qadsiah came in the closing moments of the game, when Nacho found space inside the box, only for Al-Fateh’s defense to close him down and deny a clear shot at goal.
Brendan Rodgers remains unbeaten since taking charge at Al-Qadsiah, as the Northern Irishman led Al-Qadsiah to eight victories and three draws in his 11 matches at the helm. They face NEOM next in a bid to revitalize their title charge.
Elsewhere, surprise package of the season Al-Taawoun continued a difficult run of form, dropping points in a 1-1 draw to Al-Khaleej. Meanwhile, Al-Kholood completed the double over Al-Shabab, with Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa once again proving decisive by scoring a 78th-minute winner in a 1-0 victory.
The Saudi Pro League takes its first five-day break since the league’s return from hiatus in December, with Matchday 22 getting underway on Thursday. As the title race tightens, Al-Ahli travel to Riyadh to face Al-Shabab, while Al-Hilal host Al-Ettifaq on Friday. Al-Nassr conclude the round on Saturday as they make their way to Al-Hasa to face Al-Fateh.
