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Despite massive recent investment in the game domestically and abroad, China’s hopes of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup could be dented significantly if the team loses at home to Iran.
A 3-2 loss in South Korea in the opening game of the final round of Asian qualification last week means that a defeat in Shenyang on Tuesday could potentially leave China six points adrift of the top two spots in Group A that offer automatic progress to Russia in 2018.
With more than $US400 million ($A530 million) spent by Chinese Super League clubs in 2016 on famous foreign players, as well as a state-run youth development program gathering pace, there has been growing optimism for the future of the game in the world’s most populated country.
In the short-term however, much depends on a victory against a tough Iran team – even so early in qualifying.
China was trailing South Korea 3-0 with 20 minutes remaining but goals from Yu Hai and Hao Junmin forced the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists to hang on for the final whistle.
And coach Gao Hongbo wants his China team to continue where it left off in Seoul.
“If we can play against Iran with the same spirit as the last part of the last game then we can get a good result,” he said. “There are nine games remaining in the group and this is our first home game.
“We need to do well in front of our own fans if we are going to achieve our goal of qualifying for the World Cup.”
China has only qualified for the World Cup once – in 2002.
In the other Group A games, Qatar hosts Uzbekistan, while security issues mean Syria will play South Korea in Malaysia.
If China are already under serious pressure to win in Group A, then so is Japan in Group B.
The four-time Asian champions have qualified for the last five World Cups, but had a shocking 2-1 home loss to the United Arab Emirates last week.
Japan is in Bangkok to take on a Thailand team that narrowly lost 1-0 in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE faces another stiff test at home against Australia, while Iraq and Saudi Arabia meet in the other game.
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