Coach Ivankovic received orders from CFA: Can't lose!
In the fourth round, the Chinese team won 2-1 at home against the Indonesian team (October 15). The Chinese team has 3 points like Indonesia but still sadly ranked last in Group C due to losing in the secondary index (the Chinese team has a goal difference of -9, Indonesia -1). Notably, among the 18 teams present in the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, the Chinese team is still the team with the worst defense.
The Chinese team is still at the bottom of Group C.
Chinese media assessed that coach Ivankovic's future is still very fragile. If there are no positive results in the two matches against Bahrain (away, November 14) and Japan (home, November 19), he will likely be fired. The Chinese Football Association (CFA) is still in contact with coach Jia Xiuquan - who has led the Chinese U.20 team and the Chinese women's team, ready to replace coach Ivankovic.
Zhibo newspaper commented: “The gap between Australia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, who are currently ranked from 2nd to 4th in the same group, is only 2 points. In other words, if the Chinese team has good results, they can jump to the top 4 positions. The Chinese team must make an effort, get at least 1 point or even win the match against Bahrain. Next, in the match against Japan at home, the Chinese team must get a point at all costs. On the contrary, if they receive 2 losses, coach Ivankovic will almost certainly be fired.”
Coach Ivankovic still on the brink of being fired
Zhibo also updated the current situation of coach Ivankovic: “ Beiqing Sports reporter Xiao Nan - who has a close relationship with CFA confirmed that coach Ivankovic is under a lot of pressure before the match against Bahrain. After the home win against Indonesia, CFA officials met privately with coach Ivankovic. At the same time, during the time the Chinese team trained in Dubai (UAE), preparing for the match against Bahrain, meetings continued to be held.
It can be seen that CFA is very interested in the two matches of the Chinese team in November. A clear message has been sent to coach Ivankovic: Cannot lose the match!
CFA officials repeatedly met privately with coach Ivankovic.
The force is in chaos, the number 1 star is absent.
Determined to get positive results against Bahrain and Japan, the Chinese team is expected to face many difficulties. Currently, the number 1 star Wu Lei has officially withdrawn from the Chinese team. According to Tonight News , the player who played in Spain has a relapse of his knee injury and needs about 2 months to recover. Previously, when the Chinese team beat Indonesia 2-1 and lost to Australia 1-3 in October, Wu Lei was present but was not used by coach Ivankovic.
Not only Wu Lei, the injuries of naturalized central defender Jiang Guangtai and Micro Motion have not improved. In addition, important midfielder Xie Wenneng will also be unable to participate due to suspension.
Star Wu Lei absent from China's two November matches
Not stopping there, right on Beijing TV's live program on the morning of November 13, naturalized star Li Ke suddenly criticized coach Ivankovic for continuously not calling him up in 2024.
“During the entire 2023 Asian Cup, some personal decisions by the Chinese Football Association and former coach Jankovic put me at a disadvantage. After that tournament, I worked hard, maintained my form, and devoted myself to Guoan. I was in the best condition, ready to serve the Chinese team, but in the end I was not called up. The national team head coach made this decision, the Chinese Football Association also supported it, and I feel very disappointed,” Li Ke expressed.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-tuyen-trung-quoc-nhan-lenh-khan-phai-thang-bahrain-hlv-ivankovic-se-bay-chuc-neu-185241113151754641.htm
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