China faces tough test to qualify World Cup after loss

Zheng Zhi of China (C) is defended by Mohammed Kasola (R) and Ahmed Mohamed Elsayed of Qatar during their 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Doha, Qatar, October 8, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

China's best chance before the interval came on 44 minutes when midfielder Wu Xi received Ren Hang's left wing cross to challenge the opposite keeper with a soft header.

The away team rallied after the break, coach Alain Perrin brought on three attacking players with a view to level the score. China began to control the tempo gradually and lauched some consecutive attacks from the wings. But like the first half, they only created one real chance in the dying minutes. Substitute midfielder Yu Hanchao fired a good half volley from the edge of the area following the rebound of a corner, but the shot went just a bit wide of the near post.

Qatar could have made another 2 goals in the second period. But an in-form Wang Dalei showed some high-quality saves to keep the scoreboard. He denied Sebastian Suria's one-on-one shot, before parried three close-range shots consecutively inside the box.