The Chinese men's national football team touched down in Manama, Bahrain, on Tuesday, gearing up for their pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualifier set to kick off on Thursday.
Prior to their departure, the team dedicated five days to intensive training and practice sessions in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Unfortunately, Wu Lei had to leave the squad early due to an injury, signaling a challenging road ahead.
\"Player injuries are unavoidable,\" shared goalkeeper Wang Dalei with reporters. \"The coach has got his own plans and preparations for that. We just focus on doing our best and play every game like it's the last.\"
China's journey in the tournament has been tough, with recent losses to Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, but a bright spot came with a victory over Indonesia. Currently, they occupy the bottom of Group C with three points, trailing the top two automatic qualification spots by two points.
Expressing his dedication, Wei Shihao stated, \"I want nothing more than to play for the national team. I cherish every game more than anything after I was recruited. I hope that we can get points against Bahrain both on the road and at home, because that's how we can stay hopeful for the World Cup.\"
Reference(s):
China arrive in Manama to face Bahrain in AFC World Cup qualifier
cgtn.com
