This World Cup qualifier match was nothing short of an awakening battle for the Chinese team. It's not just about winning against Bahrain but also about regaining the confidence of some fans, particularly in terms of tactical and mental shifts.
This transformation, as highlighted by Dong Lu, is a critical step for Chinese football to emerge from confusion and find its direction. Despite Bahrain's dominance in possession, China managed to break the deadlock with a timely counter-attack in the second half, securing a 1-0 victory. This win brought China two consecutive victories in the qualifiers and pushed them up to fourth place in their group. Though the statistics may seem modest, this victory is far from ordinary; it signifies a strategic and mental awakening.
Dong Lu described the tactical shift in this game as an "awakening." He suggests that Chinese football has often been trapped by a culture of face, overly focusing on ball possession and field dominance, leading to overconfidence or self-deception. In this match against Bahrain, China finally shed its past baggage and chose a more practical and pragmatic path. Specifically, China opted for a conservative approach: abandoning possession in favor of defense and direct long passes. This decision might appear passive at first glance but is, in fact, a pragmatic one. Facing a strong opponent like Bahrain, attempting to compete head-on for possession could have led to a passive situation. Instead, by relinquishing the ball to strengthen defense and focusing on creating opportunities through counter-attacks, China ensured defensive stability while posing threats through swift attacks.
Some fans might question whether less possession indicates inferior technique. However, the key lies in the fact that through this tactical change, China's defense became more organized and compact. More importantly, this adjustment reflects China's maturity and progress in mentality, no longer blindly pursuing surface-level attractive possession but prioritizing actual effectiveness.
During the opening stages of the game, China did not focus much on possession but instead used long balls from the back to quickly search for counter-attack opportunities. Although this approach seemed simplistic and brutal, it effectively posed threats to Bahrain. When Bahrain tried to control the midfield to suppress China's offense, China gradually gained the upper hand through quick counter-attacks and solid defense. Bahrain had chances, especially in possession, but due to China's tight defense, they failed to create significant threats. China's backline maintained high concentration, especially in flank defense, timely blocking Bahrain's breakthrough routes and preventing them from forming threats.
In the second half, a decisive moment arrived when China broke the stalemate with a successful counter-attack. The goal was a simple yet elegant offensive move, showcasing China's precise coordination within this tactical system. After scoring, China did not recklessly pursue more goals but instead strengthened their defense, ensuring Bahrain's attacks were fruitless. The 1-0 scoreline held until the end.
Key players played a crucial role in China's victory, particularly on the defensive end, where the backline demonstrated remarkable cohesion and tactical discipline. Each defender's positioning was accurate, and every successful clearance and defense helped defuse Bahrain's threats. On the offensive end, despite limited possession, each counter-attack opportunity was precious. The attackers' rapid movements and precise passes made each counter-attack potentially threatening. Notably, China's mental adjustment after scoring was spot-on; they remained focused on defense to secure the win.
Netizens had diverse opinions. One said: "China's performance in this game gave me hope, especially tactically. They finally let go of the past face-saving approach and played solidly, with few possessions but each counter-attack full of threat, especially defensively, like a steel wall." Another mentioned: "Although we won, I think our offense still needs improvement. There were gaps in Bahrain's defense; if we had performed better offensively, we might have won more easily." Some praised China's pragmatic tactics and stable backline against a stronger opponent like Bahrain. Others commented that the game felt like China finding its tactical route, suggesting that such adjustments are a step forward and that more changes are needed to join the ranks of world-class teams.
What insights does this game offer Chinese football? The tactical awakening is undoubtedly a significant breakthrough. From previously overemphasizing face-saving possession tactics to now adopting more pragmatic ball recovery tactics, Chinese football has shown maturity in tactical thinking and mentality. This victory proves that China can calmly adjust tactics and focus on practical results when facing strong opponents, gradually moving towards a stronger competitive state. If China maintains this tactical mindset and fully explores the potential of each game, future matches will undoubtedly be more promising. With continuous tactical adjustments and mental stability, China's performance in the World Cup qualifiers is expected to improve, giving us something to look forward to.
