China, World Cup and Japan

Soccer - Spectator runs onto field during China-Japan World Cup qualifier
A spectator ran onto the field and briefly disrupted the China-Japan soccer World Cup qualifier in China's eastern city Xiamen on Tuesday. Tensions between the two countries are high following a spate of attacks in China,
Ruthless Japan beats China to move to brink of World Cup qualification
A ruthless Japan moved to the brink of qualifying for its eighth straight World Cup after beating old rivals China 3-1 away on Tuesday. Headers from Koki Ogawa and Ko Itakura put runaway group leader Japan two goals up at half time before Lin Liangming pulled one back for China early in the second half.
Japan on cusp of World Cup after beating China 3-1
Japan are on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup after a 3-1 win at China on Tuesday while Son Heung-min scored again as South Korea were held by Palestine. Indonesia meanwhile stunned Saudi Arabia 2-0 in Jakarta to boost their unlikely hopes of reaching the tournament in
China's fragile World Cup hopes face ultimate test in Japan rematch
China's renewed confidence will face the ultimate test on Tuesday as Branko Ivankovic's side host Japan looking to build on consecutive World Cup qualifying wins against the team that dished out a comprehensive 7-0 thrashing in September.
China preparing to host Japan in World Cup qualifier
The strength of China's recovery will be challenged when Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu leads the runaway Group C leader into Xiamen.
FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Palestine Hold South Korea And Japan Down China
In Group C, Japan consolidated their lead with a 3-1 defeat of China in Xiamen. Koki Ogawa scored twice, opening the scoring and netting Japan's third. Ko Itakura put Japan 2-0 up on the stroke of half-time, with Lin Liangming pulling one back for China early in the second half.
Two months on from 7-0 humbling, will China fare any better in rematch with Japan?
China will be looking to show how far they've come from the last time they met Japan and suffered a 7-0 humbling.
2026 World Cup qualifying: China’s fragile hopes face ultimate test in Japan rematch
Branko Ivankovic’s side have rekindled hopes of qualifying after back-to-back wins over Indonesia and Bahrain.
China’s 2026 World Cup hopes alive despite Japan loss, while Indonesia stun Saudi Arabia
While Japan run away with thrilling Group C, just one point separates second-place Australia and bottom side China.
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