Chinese players pose for a team photo before their game with Syria during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers at Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, June 15, 2021. /CFP
China will lose their home advantage for the 2022 World Cup qualifying showdown with Japan with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) switching the crucial match to the Qatar's capital Doha amid continued worries over coronavirus infection.
Team Dragon face a daunting task in the final round of the Asian qualifiers after being drawn with top-ranked Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Oman into Group B.
Spearheaded by Espanyol star Wu Lei, Li Tie's team had been due to play their first home game on September 7.
"The decision of a neutral venue was made due to the challenges faced by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in organizing its home matches in light of the travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," the AFC explained in a statement on Friday night.
"The AFC is now working in close partnership with the CFA, Japan Football Association as well as the Qatar Football Association to ensure the safe passage and wellbeing of all stakeholders."
China's Wu Lei celebrates after scoring a goal during a 2022 World Cup qualifier at Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, June 15, 2021. /CFP
The fate of China's first away game against Australia on September 2, originally scheduled for Sydney, is still up in the air. Australian officials said earlier this week that Doha will also stage this encounter after they could not get the necessary player quarantine and travel bubble exemptions from governments to allow the match to take place at Sydney's Bankwest Stadium. But the AFC has not yet confirmed the venue change.
According to multiple Chinese media outlets, Team China will charter a flight to Doha on August 26, and Li's side are gearing up for the prospect of mounting a serious challenge on group favorites Japan and Australia.
"The COVID-19 pandemic does have a big impact on us. Last time around, we could play home and away, but now we won't be able to play at home," veteran defender Zhang Linpeng told a press briefing.
Zhang Linpeng (L) in action during China's 2022 World Cup qualifier against Guam in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, east China, May 30, 2021. /CFP
"Some of our opponents may also have the same problem, so it is more important to be mentally prepared for this development than for the technical and tactical aspects of the game," he said.
"The final stage [of the World Cup qualifiers] will be a brand new start for us. I'm convinced that every single player is ready to give their best. We must be fully prepared."