Defender Jiang Guangtai confident China can beat Australia

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Jiang Guangtai of China looks on when he departs east China's Shanghai Municipality for Australia, October 3, 2024. /CFP

China will play Australia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifier game at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia, on Thursday. China's defender Jiang Guangtai has expressed his confidence in his team to win this key game.

"It was a long journey, but we have a day to recover. We all have a clear goal, and we must focus on the game," Jiang said on Monday. He was injured in Shanghai Port's 3-0 loss to Pohang Steelers at the AFC Champions League Elite last week and had been doubtful against Australia.

Jiang confirmed that he's able to play in the coming game. "I've had time to recover after the match. Physically, I feel fine now," he said.

China are in Group C with Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Indonesia. They lost their first two games, 7-0 to Japan and 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, currently sitting at the bottom of the group. Top-two teams of each group will secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup when No. 3 and No. 4 teams will continue to compete in the following fourth and fifth rounds.

Australia are in the fifth place with one loss to Bahrain 1-0 and a goalless draw with Indonesia.

"We have a job to do," Jiang said. "We need to win."