How China squandered two-goal lead to draw at Singapore in crucial World Cup qualifier

The peculiarity of Chinese football lies not so much in their consistent under-performance, which has become all too familiar over the past few decades. Rather, it is the stark contrast in the ways they have been subpar.

On some occasions, they have appeared dull, uninspired, and bewildered on the pitch, resembling a deer caught in headlights. Yet, in other matches, they have exhibited frenzied and unpredictable energy, scoring goals, squandering opportunities, and enduring heart-wrenching setbacks—a tumultuous and exhilarating roller-coaster of emotions. Their World Cup qualifier against Singapore on Thursday night perfectly exemplified the latter, as China inexplicably squandered a two-goal lead to settle for a nightmarish 2-2 draw.

The inevitable inquisition is bound to rage on. How could they have allowed themselves to surrender the upper hand to a team languishing in 156th place in the world rankings? A team that is grappling with the turbulence of their second head coach in a campaign marked by hardships. A team that had conceded a staggering eight goals in their previous two outings, with zero points to show for it.

Branko Ivankovic's debut match as China's boss turned into a disheartening affair by the end, despite an impressive first half. The first half showcased Wu Lei's liveliness as he found the back of the net twice. The opening goal came as Wu deftly redirected a cross from the right by Wang Shangyuan, leaving Singapore's goalkeeper Hassan Sunny helpless.  

After the half-hour mark, Singapore conceded a penalty when Nazrul Nazari was deemed to have handled Wu's shot, but Hassan came to his team's rescue with a remarkable save, denying Wu's penalty kick. China, however, managed to add to their tally before halftime, with Wu displaying quick reactions to slot home a rebound after Hassan had initially blocked Xie Pengfei's attempt. It was a heady period for China, but unfortunately, their performance dipped significantly after halftime and anxiety started creeping into their play.

Singapore, meanwhile, shifted gears and adopted an attacking approach, with substitute Faris Ramli narrowing the deficit for the hosts. He capitalized on Lionel Tan's precise long pass, striking the ball into the net past China's goalkeeper Yan Junling. Buoyed by the goal, Singapore intensified their pursuit of an equalizer, coming close with another powerful long-range effort from Shah that required Yan's intervention. 

In response, Ivankovic made two substitutions, introducing Wei Shihao and Lin Liangming in an effort to breathe renewed energy into the over-worked midfield. However, this tactical adjustment backfired, as it was Singapore who capitalized again, with Jacob Mahler seizing a loose ball inside China's penalty area and emphatically slamming in the equalizer.  

As the game approached its conclusion, Singapore continued to create more chances and could have even secured a famous victory, if not for the timely intervention of the final whistle, sparing China further embarrassment.

The hard-fought 2-2 draw has proven to be a milestone for Singapore, who were languishing at the bottom of Group C. This valuable point marks their first on the table. Meanwhile, China are in third place, trailing behind Thailand and the group leader South Korea. It's worth noting that only the top two finishers from each of the nine groups will advance to the next qualifying phase. This crucial stage will determine the eight guaranteed qualifiers from Asia who will secure their spots in the 2026 World Cup.

At the end of the day, the overwhelming feeling of hopelessness is palpable, exemplified by Zhang Linpeng's shocking statement in the mixed zone. 

The Chinese veteran skipper told reporters, "We can't even manage to beat Singapore at this point. Personally, I find it unbearable. It's a disgrace... As the team captain, I couldn't fulfill my role in helping the team and have left the fans disappointed. After careful reflection following the game, I believe it's time to bring my international career to a close."

There's no denying that Zhang has suffered a massive heartbreak, but what truly stings for both him and the Chinese team is the fact that Singapore didn't even have to bring their A-game to outshine them. This lackluster display against a supposedly less formidable team is what cuts deepest.

Ivankovic spoke after the game about the cruciality of controlling the game's tempo and acknowledged the time required to overhaul his struggling side. However, the issue at hand is a pervasive lack of confidence, energy, and imagination that permeates every aspect of China's performance. It becomes increasingly challenging to identify the source from which these vital qualities can be revitalized.  

The task ahead appears intimidating, as China's current state leaves little room for optimism.