Chinese Soccer Fans React to 0-7 Defeat to Japan as a ‘Day of Humiliation’

Chinese soccer fans were left reeling after the national team suffered a devastating 0-7 loss to Japan in a World Cup qualifying match, prompting widespread outrage on social media. Many netizens have dubbed the defeat a “Day of Humiliation,” with calls for the resignation of head coach Branko Ivankovic or even for China to withdraw from World Cup qualifying altogether.

The match, held in Saitama, Japan, on Thursday, saw the Chinese team completely overwhelmed by one of Asia’s top soccer powers. Wataru Endo opened the scoring for Japan in the 12th minute, and while China managed to hold off further goals for the remainder of the first half, Japan's offensive onslaught in the second half left Chinese fans in shock. With goals from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma, Junya Ito, Daizen Maeda, and Takefusa Kubo, Japan ran up the score to 7-0 by the final whistle.

Chinese netizens were quick to vent their frustration online. “Ah! It’s simply embarrassing to talk about. As a Chinese, I am ashamed,” lamented one fan, echoing the sentiments of many. Calls for Ivankovic’s resignation flooded social media platforms, but some defended the Croatian coach, arguing that the root of the problem lies deeper within the system.

The defeat was China’s worst loss since an 0-8 defeat to Brazil in 2012, and it has left many questioning the future of Chinese soccer on the international stage. China, a nation passionate about soccer, has qualified for the World Cup only once, in 2002, and remains far behind top-tier Asian teams like Japan and South Korea. Despite President Xi Jinping’s expressed ambition for China to one day host and win the World Cup, performances like Thursday’s loss have left fans disillusioned.

A Complex Rivalry

Adding to the sting of the defeat is the complex relationship between China and Japan, two nations with a long history of political and military tensions. While thousands of Chinese tourists visit Japan every year, nationalistic sentiment frequently flares up, particularly when issues like Japan’s release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant arise. The humiliating soccer defeat has further inflamed these tensions, with many Chinese fans viewing the loss as symbolic of a broader struggle.

Criticism from Former Players

Former Chinese soccer stars did not hold back in their assessments of the team’s performance. Zhang Yuning, a former player, noted that the scoreline exposed the stark difference between Chinese and Japanese soccer, calling for the national team to acknowledge the gap and improve in future matches. Another former player, Fan Zhiyi, criticized the ease with which Japan scored, expressing disbelief at how little progress Chinese soccer has made in recent years.

Despite the frustration, some fans urged a more measured response. “Stop blaming the head coach,” one netizen commented. “It doesn’t matter who the coach is. We need to rethink the entire system.”

Looking Ahead

With the defeat, China now sits at the bottom of Group C in the World Cup qualifying standings, and the road ahead looks challenging. The team is set to face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, a crucial match if they hope to regain any footing in the qualification race. In other Group C matches, Bahrain shocked Australia with a 1-0 victory, and Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Indonesia.

As Chinese fans grapple with the aftermath of this heavy defeat, the national team faces mounting pressure to show signs of improvement and regain their supporters' trust.

Conclusion: China’s 0-7 loss to Japan in the World Cup qualifiers has sparked widespread criticism and calls for change. With fans labeling the match a “Day of Humiliation,” the future of Chinese soccer remains uncertain as the team looks to recover from this historic defeat.