The Saudi Arabian football team was once a powerhouse in Asian football. Taking the last 12-team tournament as an example, they managed to outperform Japan and topped their group with impressive results, directly qualifying for the World Cup, enjoying a moment of glory. However, no one could have anticipated that in this edition of the 18-team competition, the Saudi team would find themselves mired in difficulties. They managed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over China after a difficult comeback, which they thought marked the beginning of their resurgence. Yet, reality dealt them a heavy blow.
In subsequent matches, the Saudi team suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Japan, completely overwhelmed by Japan's superior strength, leaving them with no ability to fight back. They were then held to consecutive 0-0 draws by Bahrain and Australia, which, although not defeats, cost the Saudis valuable points they desperately needed in their quest for victories and qualification.
In the previous round against Indonesia, widely considered the weakest team in the group, the Saudis shocked everyone by losing 0-2 again. This placed them in an awkward four-game winless streak, erasing any advantage they had accumulated and allowing teams like Bahrain, Indonesia, and the Chinese national team to catch up in points.
On the other hand, our national team (China) has been adopting a low profile in the competition, which has lulled some opponents into a false sense of security, Saudi Arabia included. But they didn't expect that this seemingly inconspicuous Chinese team has changed dramatically. With the naturalization of players like Oscar and Serginho, the overall strength of the national team has visibly improved.
Looking at the Saudi side, their players hardly get any playing opportunities in domestic leagues, leading to a lack of effective game-state maintenance. It's challenging for them to perform at their best on the field. Therefore, this is a rare opportunity for revenge and to secure crucial points for the Chinese national team.
In the next match against Saudi Arabia, if the Chinese players can maintain their normal level of play and remain steady, securing 3 points is not an unattainable dream. Moreover, considering the entire group's qualification situation, Saudi Arabia's poor form is undoubtedly good news for China.
As the matches progress, the Chinese team's qualification prospects are becoming clearer. According to the rules, if they can secure 6 points in the following 4 games, they will lock in a spot in the playoffs, which is a glimmer of hope amidst the seemingly arduous road to qualification. Although the prospect of direct qualification for the World Cup is slim, the more realistic and feasible goal of securing one of the top four spots is now within reach. Over the years, fans have watched the ups and downs of the national team, always harboring dreams of the World Cup. Even if it's just getting closer to the playoffs, it's enough to reignite passion and hope among everyone.