The current situation is incredibly complex. In Group C of the top 18 qualifiers, the competition has become as chaotic as a hot pot base, leaving spectators dizzy. Especially the teams originally considered favorites, such as Saudi Arabia and Australia, have been stumbling, causing people to exclaim, "This is just too unreliable!" Saudi Arabia, in particular, was thought by many to be a sure bet for qualification, but a series of mistakes have left them floundering like a lost kitten, making observers shake their heads in disbelief.
As for Australia, they were once comfortably positioned in the top four, but their fluctuating form has made the situation increasingly complicated.
In contrast, our national football team, although the situation is not entirely clear, at least holds 6 points and ranks third, only one point behind second-placed Australia. This directly indicates that we have a chance to make a comeback! Honestly, seeing this situation, there's a slight excitement, even starting to fantasize that if everything goes smoothly, we might be able to squeeze into the top four and challenge for World Cup qualification.
After all, with four rounds of matches remaining, especially the upcoming away match against Saudi Arabia, which could be a decisive turning point.
Speaking of Saudi Arabia, we cannot underestimate the strength of this team. Although they are currently ranked fourth in the group and on the brink of qualification, the historical depth of Saudi Arabian football is undeniable. They have previously qualified alongside Japan, proving their capabilities. Their coach, Hervé Renard, is no ordinary figure, having achieved notable results with Morocco and Algeria.
Despite their current instability, if Saudi Arabia can recapture their past glory, other teams may find it difficult to stop them.
Regarding the key to this match, the away game for our national team is nothing short of a "life-and-death battle." Whether we win or Saudi Arabia wins, the consequences are significant.
If our national team can secure a victory at Saudi Arabia's home ground, the prospects for advancement will significantly increase, and morale will also receive a substantial boost. After all, everyone knows that Saudi Arabia must take three points to maintain hope, and this is precisely our opportunity to catch up and strive for a place in the group stage.
If Saudi Arabia wins, however, our World Cup dream will be shattered. The chances of qualifying will instantly become extremely slim, and attempting a comeback would be an uphill battle.
Considering the pressure from other groups, just thinking about the pressure of this match makes one's heart race.
When it comes to referees, everyone knows that in football matches, referees sometimes act as uncontrollable third parties. Although our national team has had decent luck so far, avoiding major misjudgments, as the competition enters its critical stages, referees could become the most troublesome potential factor.
It's worth noting that our national team has no shortage of controversial referee decisions in key matches throughout history, even losing favorable situations due to such judgments.
"I won't say much about the referee issue; every time it's a crucial moment, the referee almost becomes our 'enemy,' which is truly infuriating," mentioned a netizen. "If we still can't control the situation this time, and it's the referee's fault again, it would be a real injustice." Another netizen expressed, "For this referee factor, we need to prepare in advance to avoid creating chaos for ourselves. We must strengthen our mental adjustment and not let these external factors affect us." While the referee issue is beyond the control of our national team, players must mentally prepare themselves to avoid unnecessary intense reactions during the game, lest they be caught off guard by mistaken judgments.
Ultimately, the key lies in the overall strength of our national team. Although our performance in these matches has not been perfect, we are continuously improving, and our lineup includes many young players capable of shouldering important responsibilities.
Compared to Japan, we still lack hard power; whether in terms of strength or stability, they far surpass us. If we can continue to adjust and improve our competitive state during this period, we will undoubtedly have the opportunity to perform like Japan in the future, firmly controlling the game without being swayed by refereeing factors.
A netizen pointed out, "Japan is indeed strong, but we shouldn't always compare ourselves to them. Whether we can surpass them depends on our own improvement. Don't just use others as an excuse; we must play well in every match ourselves!" This statement makes sense; the most critical aspect of the current situation is whether we can avoid making mistakes and maintain our footing in the upcoming matches.
The remaining rounds of matches are more critical than ever for our national team. Opponents like Saudi Arabia and Indonesia could explode at any moment, requiring constant vigilance.
With the referee factor also not to be overlooked, if we truly want to challenge the World Cup, we must perform well in every upcoming match without any slack.
As the schedule gradually approaches its end, all attention is focused on the crucial battles against Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
These matches are not only for World Cup qualification but also test whether our national team can stabilize under pressure, resist unfavorable external factors, and ultimately break free from the shackles of fate.
Friends, the next few matches are absolutely life-and-death battles for our national team. If we can withstand the pressure and defeat Saudi Arabia in this match, perhaps we really will have a chance to launch an assault on World Cup qualification.