BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- After a string of disappointing performances, China secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Indonesia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night, offering a moment of relief to both the team and its anxious supporters.
The match took place amid a backdrop of mounting pressure. China had lost its last three matches, scoring just two goals while conceding 12 in defeats to Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
The poor form left fans wary of Indonesia, a team transformed by a number of naturalized European-based players. Indonesian center-back Mees Hilgers, who plays for Twente in the Dutch Eredivisie and is valued at 10 million euros, represents a level of talent that made China's fans uneasy despite the team's historical dominance in this fixture -- China had not lost to Indonesia since 1958.
Tonight News Paper praised head coach Branko Ivankovic's tactical preparation, noting that his team seemed well-prepared for Indonesia's attacking threats.
"At least in the first half, the national team showed they are capable of playing better football," the outlet said.
Chinese media lauded the team's mental resilience after the victory, with many praising the players' fighting spirit. Striker Zhang Yuning, who played through injury, broke down in tears after scoring a critical goal.
"This was an emotional release for Zhang after scoring such an important goal in a crucial game. His blood and tears reflect the true essence of football," reported Ifeng.
Despite the much-needed win, many Chinese fans acknowledged the challenges ahead. Some pointed out that China's path in Asian football is becoming increasingly difficult. Indonesia, once considered an underdog, now posed a significant challenge, with China controlling less than 30% of possession and managing just five shots to Indonesia's 14.
The Croatian head coach also remains a polarizing figure.
Some fans appreciate his impressive coaching resume, which includes leading Iran to the 2006 World Cup, and since taking over China, he has started addressing concerns about the aging roster by introducing younger players, including Behram Abduweli, Xu Haoyang, and Hu Hetao, into the national team.
However, others criticized his in-game management, particularly his slow reaction to China's second-half fatigue.
"We were running out of gas in the second half, and the coaching staff was too slow to respond, which left us scrambling at the end," said renowned Chinese commentator Zhan Jun.
Multiple outlets described the win as a "lifeline" for the team. While it doesn't solve all of the national team's issues, it restores hope and keeps China's World Cup qualifying campaign alive.
As goalkeeper Wang Dalei noted after the match, "The pressure we carried was immense. This win gives us some breathing room." ■
