Latest news with #ZhangYuning
RTHK
a day ago
- Sport
- RTHK
HK beaten 1-0 by national team in E Asian championship
HK beaten 1-0 by national team in E Asian championship China come third in the tournament thanks to the 1-0 win, while Hong Kong, China finish fourth. Photo courtesy of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong, China, on Tuesday suffered a 1-0 defeat to the national team at an East Asian football tournament, meaning they finished last among four teams in the competition in South Korea. Midfielder Huang Zhengyu's shot from the right wing in the 20th minute was the difference in the tightly-contested affair at the EAFF E-1 Championship. China, ranked 94th in the world, came close to extending the lead later. A shot by striker Zhang Yuning hit the bar. Minutes later, winger Wang Yudong's effort from close range needed a finger-tip save by Hong Kong, China captain and goalkeeper Edmond Yapp, which then came off the post. The national team also had two goals disallowed. China's caretaker head coach, Dejan Djurdjevic, who only took over less than three weeks ago, said he's happy with the result. "We deserved to win... we scored one goal and after that, we had many, many good opportunities to finish [off] the game, we were unlucky," he said after the match. "The approach of the players was very good." Hong Kong, China's head coach Ashley Westwood said the tournament in South Korea was an eye-opening experience for his squad. "We're satisfied with the desire and commitment the players showed – obviously we're not satisfied with losing, we never are," he said. "We have to take lessons. We've improved throughout the tournament, we only conceded one goal [this time]." The SAR finished the tournament with three straight defeats, after losses of 1-6 to Japan and 0-2 to South Korea.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
East Asian Championship: China lose to Japan, face Hong Kong wooden spoon fight
Japan set up a final-day East Asian Football Championship title shoot-out with South Korea, after they beat China 2-0 in Seoul on Saturday. Advertisement In a mirror image of the past two editions, in 2019 and 2022, Hong Kong will fight the Chinese to avoid the ignominy of claiming the tournament's wooden spoon. And while hopes have been high of a first Hong Kong victory in 40 years, China were more organised, aggressive and ambitious against Japan than in their 3-0 loss to the Koreans five days earlier. Six minutes after they fell behind to Mao Hosoya's early strike, China had a golden chance to level. A slightly fortunate ricochet off his own boot sent Zhang Yuning clean through, but the striker's low shot was too close to Tomoki Hayakawa in goal. Wei Shihao tamely side-footed the rebound wide. Japan had made no such mistake when their chance fell, and after Gao Tianyi lost possession in midfield, early in the 11th minute, the next China player to touch the ball was goalkeeper Yan Junling, when he picked it out of his net roughly 40 seconds later. 01:30 Cristiano Ronaldo museum opens in Hong Kong Cristiano Ronaldo museum opens in Hong Kong Satoshi Tanaka rattled the final pass into Hosoya, who had his back to goal on the edge of the area. The centre-forward turned and escaped debutant China defender Liu Haofan in one movement, before unleashing a full-blooded shot across Yan and into the left corner.
Daily Tribune
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
China and Bahrain Set to End 2026 World Cup Dreams in Final Group Clash
The curtain will fall on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying journey for both China and Bahrain as the two sides prepare to face off in their final Group C fixture on Tuesday at the Longxing Football Stadium. It has been a frustrating campaign for both nations, who sit at the bottom of the group standings and are now out of the race for qualification. With nothing but pride left to play for, both teams will aim to close their campaigns with a performance worthy of their national colors. China's Exit Confirmed After Indonesia Defeat China's hopes of progressing to the next round were officially dashed on Thursday after a 1-0 defeat to Indonesia. Dutch-born striker Ole Romenij, currently playing for Oxford United, netted the decisive penalty just before halftime at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, securing a crucial win for Indonesia. The loss marked China's fourth consecutive defeat in the qualifiers. Since their narrow 1-0 win over Bahrain in November—sealed by a stoppage-time strike from Zhang Yuning —Branko Ivankovic's side has managed just one goal in four matches while conceding seven. China currently sits second from the bottom, tied with Bahrain on points but ahead only on goal difference. Bahrain Struggles to Find Spark Similarly, Bahrain continued their downward spiral with a 2-0 loss to Saudi Arabia at the Bahrain National Stadium on Thursday. A 16th-minute strike from Musab Al Juwayr, followed by Abdulrahman Alobud's first international goal, gave the Saudis a comfortable win and deepened Bahrain's woes. Under the management of Dragan Talajic, Bahrain has endured a winless streak stretching over eight games, including three straight losses, since their only victory—a surprise 1-0 win over 10-man Australia—at the start of the campaign. Their struggles up front have been particularly costly, with only five goals scored, the lowest in the group. Historic Hurdles Ahead for Bahrain Bahrain will also have history working against them as they prepare for Tuesday's match. The Gulf nation has failed to beat China in their last nine meetings, recording five draws and four defeats since their last win in September 1981. Though both teams are already eliminated, the final match offers a chance to restore pride and set the tone for rebuilding ahead of future regional and international campaigns. For fans and players alike, it's one last shot to walk away with heads held high.
South China Morning Post
05-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
China seek perfection in do-or-die World Cup qualifier clash against Indonesia
China will fight to stay alive in the hunt for a World Cup spot with hopes of a 'perfect performance' when they face Indonesia in a crucial qualifier on Thursday, coach Branko Ivankovic said. Advertisement China stand on the brink of elimination from World Cup qualification – a defeat at Indonesia's sold-out, 76,000-seater Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Thursday would end any chance of the Chinese team reaching the tournament for only the second time in their history. 'Tomorrow will be a massive game for us. I hope all the team will have a perfect performance,' Ivankovic told reporters ahead of the clash in Jakarta. 'We are well aware of the pressure playing in Indonesia's home stadium, and we've been preparing the players to turn that pressure into motivation. 'Indonesia has strengthened its squad with naturalised players, making this a difficult match for us. We need to stay focused and avoid any distractions.' Zhang Yuning scores China's second goal in their 2-1 win over Indonesia last October. Photo Reuters In their previous qualifier, China lost to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh despite having reignited their World Cup hopes with wins against Indonesia and Bahrain.
France 24
04-06-2025
- General
- France 24
China seek 'perfect' Indonesia win to keep World Cup dream alive
China stand on the brink of elimination from World Cup qualification -- a defeat at Indonesia's sold-out, 76,000-seater Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Thursday would end any chance of the Chinese team reaching the tournament for only the second time in their history. "Tomorrow will be a massive game for us. I hope all the team will have a perfect performance," Ivankovic told reporters Wednesday ahead of the clash in Jakarta. "It will be a pressure game but I've told my players to move this pressure into motivation." In their last qualifier China lost to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh despite having reignited their World Cup hopes with wins against Indonesia and Bahrain. The top two teams from the three Asian qualifying groups will qualify for the World Cup while teams finishing third and fourth go into another round of qualifying. China are bottom of the six sides in Group C with two games to go, level with Bahrain on six points but three behind Indonesia in the crucial fourth spot. "It's a stressful game, a hard game for us. But we prepare like normal," said Beijing Guoan striker Zhang Yuning. "Everyone on the pitch for China will fight for our best until the last minute and fight for the result." Japan are runaway leaders on 20 points, with Australia currently in the all-important second place on 13 points. Both will play each other on Thursday. FIFA currently ranks China 94th in the world.
