China, Japan and World Cup

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.
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.
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.
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.
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Goals and Highlights: China vs Japan in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (1-3)
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Why China’s Soccer Reforms Are Struggling to Deliver
The government believes it has identified the root problem holding back Chinese soccer: the “12-year-old trap.” ...
Japan on brink of reaching World Cup while Indonesia stuns Saudi Arabia
Japan is within touching distance of an eighth successive World Cup appearance after beating China 3-1 in Xiamen put the team ...
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Households hail Samba soccer stars
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Chinese soccer appears to be getting worse despite Xi's pledge
Chinese President Xi Jinping is reported to be a big soccer fan, and he promised in ... Japan defeated China 7-0 on Thursday in a World Cup qualifier in Saitama, Japan, a brutal loss that came ...