In China, the national side hosted Saudi Arabia in their AFC Asian Cup qualification. A victory over the already qualified Saudi Arabia, would book China its ticket, to the finals of the continental showpiece.
China came into the match with seven points, five behind the Saudi side who had won all four games to easily qualify.
In front of a raucous crowd in Xi’an in Shaanxi Province, it was the visitors who got the opening chance. Salem Al-Dawsari shooting from a tight angle. But it proved comfortable for Zeng Cheng, who had just helped Guangzhou Evergrande to the AFC Champions League title earlier this month.
Five minutes later, China’s Jiang Ning was set free, and it looks like he has all the time in the world, but a great, last-ditch tackle from the defender, means he can’t get the shot away. The first half ending goalless.
China continued to press in the second half, Sun Ke’s long-range effort creating a scramble in the Saudis’ area. And another last-gasp tackle taking the ball away from Gao Lin. The defender rightly being congratulated.
Seconds before stoppage time some nice play out on the right, including a lovely little backheel, ended with Zhang Linpeng going down in the box, but the referee, Kim Dong-jin, awards nothing. Leading to Zhang running over and pushing him before being pulled away. And you really can’t go around man-handling referees. The Evergrande defender lucky to get away with just a yellow. And despite the replays it’s still unclear whether the ref got that one right.
In the final few minutes Huang Bowen had a chance from this free-kick but it sails narrowly over. The final score 0-0. Meaning China will have to fight for qualification in their final match next March against Iraq, who beat Indonesia 2-0 and are just two points behind.
"We have to accept the result. We gave 100 per cent in the match. We wanted to score, to grab three points and to qualify from the group. We controlled the match well, but failed to create clear chances and to turn our advantage into goals, so we have to accept the draw." China Captain Zheng Zhi said.