Two teams at the bottom of Group C will clash on Tuesday afternoon as China take on Indonesia in their fourth match of the AFC World Cup qualifying third round.
The hosts are at the foot of the table with three losses from three games, while the visitors are fifth in the standings with three draws from their three outings.
Match preview
© Imago
China narrowly qualified for the third round of AFC FIFA World Cup qualifying as they finished second in their second-round group with nine points, level with Thailand but advancing due to a better head-to-head record, having won one match and drawn the other.
However, after the high of progressing into the third round, China were quickly brought back down to earth as they suffered a humbling 7-0 defeat to Japan in the opening game of Group C.
Branko Ivankovic's team has since recorded a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia and a 3-1 loss to Australia, placing them at the bottom of Group C without a single point.
Tuesday's game against Indonesia could provide China with the perfect chance to pick up their first points, with their visitors sitting one place above them in the group table.
Shin Tae-yong, who has been in charge of Indonesia since 2020, comfortably led the side into the third round as they finished second in their second qualifying round group with 10 points, four ahead of third-placed Vietnam.
They have enjoyed a reasonable start to life in the third qualifying round, remaining undefeated in their first three fixtures having recorded three successive draws with Saudi Arabia, Australia and Bahrain.
While Indonesia would have been delighted with two points from Saudi Arabia and Australia, they are likely to be incredibly disappointed with the draw against Bahrain as they conceded a 99th-minute equaliser.
Shin's will be hopeful his side can continue their unbeaten start to the group against a side that are yet to record a point on Tuesday, with aims of moving towards the top two in pursuit of a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Team News
© Imago
Lei Li is a doubt for this game after the defender was taken off in the 77th minute of their 3-1 defeat to Australia due to an injury, meaning Yang Liu could come into the team.
Wenneng Xie scored China's first goal of the group in that game, with their goal against Saudi Arabia being an own goal, and the forward is likely to start again here.
As for Indonesia, a similar side to the one that came within minutes of securing their first victory against Bahrain in their last game could start here as they aim to take all three points for the first time.
Rafael Struick and Ragnar Oratmangoen scored the goals for their side in that game, and both are likely to start in the forward positions in this one.
China possible starting lineup:
Wang; Hu, Browning, Jiang, H. Li; Xie, Wang, Y. Li, Wei; Fernandinho, Zhang
Indonesia possible starting lineup:
Paes; Walsh, Hilgers, Amat, Idzes, Verdonk; Risaldi, Jenner, Haye, Oratmangoen; Struick
We say: China 1-2 Indonesia
Indonesia are yet to lose a game in Group C, while China are yet to record a single point from their opening three fixtures, suggesting the visitors will win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
Iran
Kyrgyzstan
North Korea
Qatar
UAE
Uzbekistan
Iraq
Jordan
Kuwait
Oman
Palestine
South Korea
Australia
Bahrain
China
Indonesia
Japan
Saudi Arabia
