The China national football team is gearing up for a pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Thailand in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, with Coach Branko Ivankovic expressing strong confidence ahead of the match.
Speaking at the pre-game press conference on Wednesday, Ivankovic emphasized the immense support from over 50,000 fans who are set to attend the game. \"We heard that all the tickets for tomorrow's match are sold out, and there will be over 50,000 fans coming to the stadium to support us,\" he stated. \"We want to win the match for them. That's the only goal.\"
With two games left in the second round of Asian World Cup qualifiers, China stands second in Group C with seven points, maintaining a three-point lead over Thailand. A victory in this match would secure China's place in the final stage of the Asian qualifiers.
Despite facing challenges such as Wu Lei's suspension and Zhang Yuning's injury, Ivankovic remains optimistic. \"We need to score more goals to win, and therefore I have called up six forwards,\" the 70-year-old Croatian coach explained. \"We will organize the attacking tactics well.\"
Thailand's head coach, Masatada Ishii, also highlighted the competitive spirit of his team. \"China's naturalized players are all very good, and they can strengthen their attacking line. We will find our way to beat them,\" Ishii affirmed, promising that Thailand will strive to secure all three points.
The upcoming clash promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for a critical position in the World Cup qualification standings.
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Manager Ivankovic vows China will beat Thailand in World Cup qualifier
cgtn.com
