Chinese soccer fans flock to the streets after surprise win over arch-rival South Korea
Ecstatic fans credit first victory in seven years over arch-rivals to ‘lucky’ stadium, where national team have won or drawn their past eight matches
Chinese fans erupted in euphoria after a surprise victory over its arch-rival South Korea in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Thursday, only the third time for Chinese national soccer team to have done so in over 30 matches since 1978.
The rare 1-0 victory in Changsha, Hunan province, came amid rising nationalist sentiment in the mainland against its Asian neighbour since a controversial US anti-missile system being deployed in the Korean Peninsula despite Beijing’s fierce opposition.
Chinese team made a victory lap after the match, with glowsticks in their hands.
Fans flocked to the streets after the match. Some held a giant national flag and sang Chinese national anthem as they marched on the street.
The match was closely monitored by mainland authorities for fear that nationalist sentiment over the deployment of the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system in South Korea could get out of control and erupt into mass protests if China lost yet again to South Korea.
