China’s World Cup hopes alive despite Japan loss as Indonesia stun Saudis, Australia held

While the Japanese are running away as leaders in a thrilling Group C, just one point separates second-place Australia and bottom side China

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Chinese fans cheer on their side during the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification clash with Japan in Xiamen. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:00am, 20 Nov 2024Updated: 12:08pm, 20 Nov 2024

China’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup remain very much alive despite a 3-1 home defeat to Japan, as Saudi Arabia suffer a huge blow with a shock 2-0 defeat to Indonesia.

Victory in Xiamen means Japan are within touching distance of an eighth straight World Cup appearance, as they sit nine points clear of second-place Australia, who drew 2-2 with Bahrain, in their Asian qualifying group.

Despite beating China 7-0 at home in September, it took Japan 39 minutes to break the deadlock in Xiamen with a Koki Ogawa header. Ko Itakura added a second before half-time.

Home fans grew hopeful when Lin Liangming scored early in the second half but Ogawa headed home his second soon after.

The Samurai Blue have 16 points from six games in Group C, with four to go, while China are the only other team to have won more than once and yet sit bottom.

Indonesian players celebrate during their famous World Cup qualifying victory over Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFP

Australia, meanwhile, are second with seven points – one point clear of the chasing pack, all level on six points – after Kusini Yengi scored in the 96th minute to earn a dramatic draw for the Socceroos in Bahrain.