China loses World Cup ticket despite win over Qatar

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China defeated Qatar 2-1 on Tuesday in the last round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian preliminaries in Doha, but failed to earn a ticket to the World Cup finals in Russia.

The results from games by other members of the Group A meant that China's victory would not translate in a play-off spot for next year’s tournament.

Uzbekistan tied 0-0 with South Korea and Syria drew 2-2 with Iran.

Zheng Zhi could have put China ahead in the 6th minute, but his powerful long shot was denied by Qatar's goalkeeper. Gao Lin almost broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, but his shot was punched out by Saad Alsheed too.

Chinese football team's family photo /Photo via CCTV5‍

Qatar and China both missed several chances in the first half, which ended in a 0-0 tie.

Akram Afif's attempt found the net two minutes after the break. The 20-year-old challenged Chinese goalkeeper Zeng Cheng again in the 53rd minute, but Zeng's brilliant save beat Afif this time.

Xiao Zhi helped Marcello Lippi's team level the score in the 74th minute, as his sliding shot in the close range kept China alive.

China's captain Zheng was shown red in the 80th minute, while Wu Lei's following shot turned the table three minutes after it.

China finished fifth with 12 points in the Group A table. Syria earned a spot in the play-offs as the third-placed team with 13 points while Uzbekistan finished fourth.

Group leaders Iran and second-placed South Korea received automatic tickets to Russia 2018.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency