BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:
1. China advances in World Cup Asian qualifiers despite defeat to S. Korea
China squeezed into the third stage of Asian qualifying tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite losing to South Korea 1-0 away on June 11.
China advanced only by the slimmest of margins - finishing ahead of Thailand on the head-to-head record after both sides collected eight points with the same goals for and against in Group C.
The draw for the third round of the World Cup Asian qualifiers will take place on June 27. 18 teams will be divided into three groups, with top two of each group securing direct spots in the expanded 48-team World Cup, while the remaining two spots will be decided in the fourth round Asian qualifiers.
2. Djordjevic steps down as head coach of China's basketball team
The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) announced on June 13 that Aleksandar Djordjevic had stepped down as the head coach of China's men's national team and Guo Shiqiang was appointed as an interim coach.
Under the Serbian's charge, China finished a disappointing 29th at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila and failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Djordjevic's team suffered another setback at last year's Asian Games as they went down to the Philippines in the semifinals.
3. China's women's volleyball team secures Paris Olympics berth
China's women's volleyball team has secured a spot at the Paris Olympic Games following straight-set victories over Bulgaria and Germany in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) over the past week in Hong Kong.
4. China unveils six-strong taekwondo squad for Paris Olympics
Chinese Taekwondo Association announced a six-strong roster for the taekwondo competition of the Olympic Games on June 11.
Led by Luo Zongshi, world champion and current world No. 1 in the women's 57kg category, the six athletes are set to make their Olympic debut in Paris.
Squad - Women's 49kg: Guo Qing; Women's 57kg: Luo Zongshi; Women's 67kg: Song Jie; Women's +67kg: Zhou Zeqi; Men's 68kg: Liang Yushuai; Men's +80kg: Song Zhaoxiang.
5. China wins Huashan Cup U-19 men's football tournament
China beat South Korea 2-0 in Xi'an on June 10 and claimed the championship of the Huashan Cup U-19 men's football invitational tournament.■
