A 1-1 draw causes trouble for the Chinese national team! The U23 Asian Cup group standings are in chaos: China advances after a draw with Thailand in the final round

On January 12th Beijing time, the U23 Asian Cup group stage proceeded with all second-round Group D matches finished. China staged a surprising victory by beating the strong Australian side 1-0, while Thailand managed a 1-1 draw against Iraq. As a result, the group standings are very tight, with all four teams still able to qualify or be knocked out in the last round. China tops the group with 4 points, Australia is second with 3, Iraq third with 2, and Thailand fourth with 1 point, showing a clear tiered ranking!

China faced Australia. Both teams remained unbeaten in the first round; China earned a hard-fought draw against Iraq, while Australia won 2-1 over Thailand with the advantage of having one extra player. Overall, there was a gap in strength between the two teams. China continued to rely on counterattacks and defense. Although Australia dominated possession and chances, China seized one of the few opportunities in the first half to score and break the deadlock. In the second half, Australia launched intense attacks, but China’s solid defense and the goalkeeper’s outstanding performance preserved the 1-0 lead. After two rounds without defeat, China tops the group with 4 points!

Thailand played Iraq. Neither team won in the first round; Thailand lost narrowly 1-2 to Australia after an early red card, while Iraq drew 0-0 with China despite having the upper hand. In this match, Thailand conceded a penalty in the first half due to a foul in their box, allowing Iraq to take the lead. In the second half, Thailand fought back fiercely and equalized in the 85th minute with a long ball into the box, where a Thai player won the scramble and scored. After the goal, Thailand pressed hard on Iraq but failed to score again. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams earning one point each!

As a result, the latest group standings have been updated. Thailand’s draw with Iraq is the worst possible outcome for China, as Thailand not only revived their hopes of qualifying but also altered the group’s qualification scenario, putting China in big trouble. In the final round, China must not underestimate Thailand and must aim at least for a draw or a win. Thailand looks strong, having performed well against both Australia and Iraq with excellent technical skills, putting considerable pressure on China!

Written by / Sports Novel