China lost to Iraq in world cup qualifier
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China.org.cn, November 12, 2011
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Iraq's Younus Mahmood (right) fights for the ball against China's Zhang Linpehg during their 2014 World Cup Asian qualifying football match a t Al-Arabi Stadium in Doha on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 |
Ten-men China lost to Iraq 0-1 in a crucial 2014 World Cup Asian Zone qualifier on Friday at the neutral venue of Doha, which has almost killed China's world cup dream.
Jose Antonio Camacho's men are struggling after one win in four games has left them third in Group A in the first round of 2014 World Cup Asian Zone qualifying and six points behind second-placed Iraq, with only the top two teams qualifying for the next stage.
China, who desperately needed a win to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the next round, took control of the game in the first half and created some chances. But Zhao Xuri's strike from outside the box and Liu Jian's close-range header missed the target narrowly.
The 2007 AFC Asian Cup champions Iraq got the best opportunity in the 32nd minute as Younus Mahmood's one-on-one shot was saved by China's goalkeeper.
The game, which was being played at the Al Arabi Stadium in the Qatar capital due to security concerns in Iraq, appeared to be heading for a goalless draw until the late intervention of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup MVP Younis, whose goal came shortly after China's central defender Zhang Linpeng was given a straight red card for a ferocious in the 85th minute.
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