China don beat Curacao 2-0 for one friendly match wey dem play for Sydney Stadium for Australia. The match na part of FIFA Series 2026, and e show say China dey ready for future competitions even though dem no qualify for World Cup.
The game begin with both teams dey try find rhythm. Curacao, wey get new coach Fred Rutten after Dick Advocaat leave, dey control ball pass China. Dem get 65.4% possession, but dem no fit convert am to goal. Juninho Bacuna nearly score for Curacao early for the game, but hin shot miss the upright small.
China wey dey ranked 93rd for world, come wait until first half stoppage time before dem score. Goalkeeper Yan Junling send long ball forward, Zhang Yuning use head pass am give Wei Shihao, and Wei finish am well well to put China ahead 1-0 before half time.
For second half, China continue dey press. For 59th minute, Zhang Yuning score the second goal when e collect poor clearance for box and fire am inside net. Curacao try make comeback with substitutions like Tahith Chong, Jeremy Antonisse, and Gervane Kastaneer wey enter, but dem no fit break China defense.
Match statistics show say China get 11 shots with 3 on target, while Curacao get 7 shots with none on target. China commit 16 fouls collect 4 yellow cards, and Curacao commit 12 fouls collect 2 yellow cards. The game end 2-0 for China.
This match na first game for Fred Rutten as Curacao coach after e replace Dick Advocaat wey leave last month to take care of hin sick daughter. Rutten talk say e no like how e become coach, but e dey happy to continue the work wey Advocaat don start.
Curacao na small island nation with just 156,000 people, but dem qualify for World Cup for first time. Dem go play for Group E with Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador. This loss to China na wake-up call for dem before World Cup begin for June-July 2026.
China coach Shao Jiayi talk say young players dey important for team future. E say many pipo for China love football and participate actively, wey go help Chinese football for future. China dey prepare for next competitions after failing to qualify for 2026 World Cup.
The match play for Accor Stadium for Sydney with capacity of 83,500 people. Referee dey control game well with proper officiating. Both teams use the match as preparation for their different objectives – Curacao for World Cup debut and China for rebuilding process.
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