The competition in Group C of the 18-team tournament is as suspenseful as a thriller, with each match result causing hearts to race and excitement. It's a group of evenly matched teams, tightly intertwined, fighting fiercely against each other. When we talk about Group C, it's synonymous with the "Group of Death," and we must mention the Chinese team. Although some people don't have much confidence in our strength, even Japan's head coach, Moriyasu Maki, has praised the performance of the Chinese team. His prediction gives us a glimmer of hope while also delivering a heavy blow, reminding us that this road to qualification is by no means easy.
First, let's take a look at the overall situation in Group C. There are six teams you can't underestimate: besides our Chinese team, there's Indonesia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and of course, other competitors who are closely following in points. The gap between everyone isn't large, with points being chased and overtaken, making every match full of uncertainty. If you don't get 3 points today, you might drop to a lower position tomorrow. This pressure and tension almost make it hard to breathe. Every match is like a decisive battle.
As for Moriyasu's evaluation of Group C, he didn't underestimate the Chinese team. On the contrary, Moriyasu believes that the strength of the Chinese team has been underestimated. Even though we lost 1-3 to the Japanese team in our last match, the performance of the Chinese team really impressed him. The fighting spirit during the game surprised Moriyasu, and he even felt that the true strength of the Chinese team far exceeds its current state. He came to this conclusion after reviewing our matches against Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Indonesia, and Australia. This isn't just idle talk; after all, he witnessed our tenacity and fighting spirit firsthand.
Reality is also cruel; it's indeed not easy for the Chinese team to advance. Among the 18 teams, our situation isn't the best either. If Thailand scores more goals against Singapore in the last round, we might not even qualify for the top 18. To make a comeback, we must maintain a high level of play in the remaining four matches. Especially, we need to continue the strong performance against Japan, regardless of the opponent, and give our all in every match.
The specific schedule has already been set. The next away match against Saudi Arabia will be the first key battle for the Chinese team. Due to the gold policy, the domestic players of Saudi Arabia are in poor form, so we must seize the opportunity and strive to win 3 points away. Following that, we'll play against Australia at home. Although Australia's overall strength has declined, the advantage of playing at home still gives us a lot of confidence, and we must strive for victory. In June, we'll face Indonesia, with many naturalized players; our goal is clear - to secure at least a draw and ensure points. In the last round, facing Bahrain, as the weakest team in the group, we must fight for victory to ensure the hope of advancing.
According to Moriyasu's prediction, if the Chinese team can achieve the above goals as planned, we will likely secure the second place in the group with a total of 16 points, directly qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. This is not only recognition of the Chinese team's strength but also an encouragement. However, although this prediction is exciting, it also reminds us of the importance of each match because no match can be taken lightly.
But speaking of Group C, we can't just focus on ourselves; other teams are also fighting hard, and none of them should be underestimated. After analyzing, Moriyasu gave some ranking predictions, believing that the rankings of Indonesia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain will be behind China, eventually showing a certain gap. According to his analysis, the main basis is the performance of each team against Japan and the current points situation. He thinks these teams aren't bad, but compared to China, there's still a gap.
However, to put it bluntly, the competition in Group C is still full of variables, and the direction of each match may change due to a small mistake or an unexpected attack. Teams like Bahrain, which seem weak, may explode in a match and catch us off guard. Who will laugh last and successfully break through the barriers to finally win the ticket to the World Cup is really unpredictable.
Whether the Chinese team can overcome this hurdle, we certainly hope to see their miraculous comeback. Some netizens say: Honestly, I feel that the Chinese team's performance has become more stable in recent years. Although there are some fluctuations, they are also making progress. Especially in the match against Japan, although we lost, we saw the fighting spirit. Looking at Moriyasu's prediction, I think we have a chance; it all depends on whether we can fight hard in the next few matches. Another netizen is even more optimistic: I think the Chinese team has a complete chance to turn the tables this time. The key is not to mess up and strive for every point. After all, for this World Cup, we are full of expectations, and it would be a shame not to show some strength. Another netizen reminds us: Although everyone is optimistic about the Chinese team, we can't ignore the threat from other teams, especially Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Although the power gap seems small now, once we reach the end of the season, the ability to grasp opportunities at the critical moment is key. We mustn't be careless. Another netizen sees things more pragmatically: I think what's most important right now is that we stay focused ourselves. Despite many predictions from the outside world, the results are earned through our own efforts, and we absolutely can't underestimate any opponent in any match.
In any case, Moriyasu's evaluation has injected more confidence into the Chinese team, and this confidence also makes us look forward to each upcoming match. No matter what the final result is, at least we've seen a viable path to qualification. The key lies in subsequent performances, how to seize every opportunity, and how to demonstrate true strength at critical moments. This is what determines whether the Chinese team can stand out.
The situation in Group C has become complicated, and who will laugh last and become a witness to history remains to be seen! Just as Moriyasu said, the most crucial thing is the performance in each match, and no match can be neglected to ultimately go all the way. For the Chinese team, this is not only a challenge on the field but also an opportunity to prove themselves. The next four matches are full of variables and hope. We hope that the Chinese team can blaze a trail in the "Group of Death" and march into the gates of the 2026 World Cup with the flag of victory.