The surprise came so suddenly!
In the third round of Group C of the third stage of the 2024 World Cup Qualifiers Asian Zone Round of 18, the Chinese team played away and led Australia 1-0.
As soon as this news came out, it immediately caused an uproar in football circles at home and abroad.
Just 20 minutes into the game, the Chinese team got off to a dream start.
Xie Wenneng made a beautiful long-range shot that directly penetrated the door of the Australia team and took the lead for the Chinese team.
This goal can be said to have given Chinese fans a shot in the arm and made everyone excited.
You must know that the performance of the Chinese team in the group stage before can be described as miserable.
First suffered a 7-0 defeat to Japan, followed by a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.
The two-game losing streak left the Chinese team at the bottom of Group C, and morale was extremely low.
Although the opponent Australia team has an unsatisfactory record, after all, it is a home game and has an advantage in strength, who would have thought that the Chinese team would be the first to break the goal?
Some netizens commented excitedly: Great!
Xie Wenneng's goal is simply a send-off!
Our national football team finally raised its eyebrows and breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the game had only just begun, the significance of the goal was too significant.
It didn't just change the scoreline, but more importantly it gave the players confidence.
You look at the excitement of the players after scoring a goal, as if they have been lifted from a thousand pounds.
If this momentum can be maintained, it may be able to create miracles!
It couldn't have come at a better time.
You must know that the Chinese team's trip can be described as difficult.
Not only do you have to face strong opponents, but you also have to play away from home.
What's worse is that the team's two main players, Wu Lei and Alain, are out due to injury, which undoubtedly brings a lot of blows to the team.
But who would have thought that the team would burst out with such a strong fighting force in the face of adversity?
The starting lineup of the Chinese team can be said to have been carefully arranged.
The pairing of Zhang Yuning and Wei Shihao, the two strikers, is obviously the result of the head coach's careful consideration.
And Xie Wenneng's goal proves how wise the coach's employment strategy is.
A veteran fan analyzed: Don't look at this as just a goal, but it has a lot of significance!
It broke Australia's unbeaten golden body and dealt a heavy blow to the opponent.
It has been a huge boost to the confidence and morale of our players.
Do you think, how much psychological pressure did the players have on losing two games in a row before?
Well, now it's like a shot in the arm and regains confidence.
It also gives the manager more tactical options.
Leading and lagging behind, the style of play is very different!
It's just the beginning of the game and we can't be too optimistic.
Australia is not to be messed with.
They have just changed their new manager, Popovich, who once led Western Sydney Wanderers to the AFC Champions League, and will surely pull everything in his power to turn things around.
Moreover, as the hosts, they are under pressure to win, and the next counterattack will definitely be very fierce.
Some netizens reminded: Don't be too happy!
Australia is a World Cup regular, and the strength is there.
They are behind now and will definitely fight back with all their might.
It's hard to say whether our defence will be able to withstand the pressure.
There's still a long way to go, and anything is possible.
I would advise everyone to stay calm and continue to support the team, but also be mentally prepared.
This netizen makes a lot of sense.
Although we were leading for the time being, the game was far from over.
The challenges facing the Chinese team will be even more severe.
We need to be tighter in defending while maintaining the attacking threat.
The strength of the Australia team is there, and their counter-attacking ability should not be underestimated.
This match means a lot for both sides.
It was the debut of new coach Popovich for Australia, and they will certainly be hoping to get off to a good start at home.
For the Chinese team, this game is more about the team's hope of qualifying.
If we can beat Australia away from home, we can not only avoid the embarrassment of three consecutive defeats, but also greatly improve the team's morale and qualification prospects.
Xu Jiren, vice chairman of the Chinese Football Association, said before the game that the team would go all out to strive for the best results.
Now it seems that the players have indeed lived up to the expectations of the leaders and put themselves into the game with full enthusiasm and tenacious fighting spirit.
A sports commentator commented: No matter what the final result is, the performance of the Chinese team today is already worthy of recognition.
You see, playing away from home, facing stronger opponents, there are still fewer main players, but we still dare to fight, and this spirit is very valuable.
Especially Xie Wenneng, he seizes the opportunity to score, and this ability to grasp the opportunity is really impressive.
It's not over yet, we still need to keep going.
But in any case, today's performance has given us a lot of hope.
This team still has potential!
Regardless of the final score, the Chinese team's performance today has earned the respect of many people.
Rising up in the face of adversity and not flinching in the face of difficulties is a victory in itself.
We also have to look at this game objectively.
Australia are World Cup regulars after all, and their overall quality and game experience are above us.
Even though we are leading for the time being, the game is still uncertain.
We have to cheer for the team, but we also have to be rational and calm.
Some fans said: I think, no matter whether we win or lose in the end, we have to look at it rationally.
It's good to win, but you can't be complacent; Don't be discouraged if you lose.
The key is to see the team's progress and potential.
Look at today's performance, how tenacious!
This spirit is the most valuable.
I believe that as long as we persevere, Chinese football will emerge sooner or later.
This fan has a point.
Football is always full of uncertainties, and we can neither be blindly optimistic nor complacent.
The most important thing is to keep the confidence and continue to support the team so that they can feel the encouragement and expectation of the people of the whole country.
We'll have to wait and see what happens next.
Can the Chinese team maintain this hard-won lead?
What kind of counter-attacking strategy will Australia use?
These are the focuses we need to keep an eye on.
In any case, today's game has already given us a lot of surprises and hopes.
Let's continue to cheer for the Chinese team and look forward to more miracles from them!
On the football field, anything is possible.
As long as we are united and never give up, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome.
Come on, Chinese team!
We are with you!