On October 15, the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifying tournament kicked off in Qingdao, where the Chinese national men’s football team faced Indonesia. The game ended with China securing a 2-1 victory, marking their first win in the final 18-team qualifying round, thanks to two first-half goals from Baihe Lamu and Zhang Yuning.

Prior to this match, the Chinese team had experienced three consecutive losses in the qualifying rounds, suffering a staggering 0-7 defeat to Japan in their opening game, followed by a 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia and a 1-3 defeat against Australia, leaving them at the bottom of their group without any points.

Despite their lower world ranking—over 30 places behind China—Indonesia has shown significant improvement in recent years under South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong. The team has naturalized several players and adopted a style influenced by European football. Their performances against Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Bahrain, where they managed draws, have illustrated that they are no longer just a typical Southeast Asian team, as they now sit in second-to-last place in their group with 3 points.

In this match, China’s head coach Ivan Kovač set up a 4-4-2 formation, with Wang Dalei in goal and a defensive line consisting of Li Lei, Jiang Shenglong, Jiang Guangtai, and Gao Zhunyi. The midfield featured Li Yuanyi, Wang Shangyuan, Wei Shihao, and Xie Wenwen, while Baihe Lamu and Zhang Yuning led the attack.

As the match began, the home team intensified their effort on the pitch. In the 21st minute, with an assist from Jiang Shenglong, Baihe Lamu scored with a stunning volley inside the box, bringing China to a 1-0 lead. Just before halftime, Gao Zhunyi delivered a pinpoint pass to Zhang Yuning, who slotted the ball home, extending China’s lead.

The second half saw heightened competition between the two teams. In the 86th minute, substitute Wang Haijian inadvertently misdirected a header while attempting to clear, allowing Haye to fire a shot that narrowed the score to 2-1 for Indonesia. Ultimately, China held on for the victory.

After the match, player Zhang Yuning reflected on the team’s journey from three straight losses to this first victory. “It feels like everyone was a warrior, giving their all to win this game at home. It’s encouraging that we achieved this,” he remarked.

With four matches now completed, both China and Indonesia have secured 3 points; however, due to a poorer goal difference, China remains at the bottom of the group. Looking ahead, China will face Bahrain away on November 14.