The problems that China must face do not stop there. It is said that the coaching team is no longer harmonious. The dressing room also reportedly no longer believes in coach Ivankovic.
Media from China, Sohu, made a report which could be good news for the Indonesian national team. Because, Sohu reported that there was a real rift between the head coach and assistant coach of the Chinese National Team.
In the last duel against Saudi Arabia, assistant coach Zheng Zhi was angry. He even hit the wall and the moment was caught on camera.
What made Zheng Zhi angry? Before hitting the wall, Sohu reported that Zheng Zhi gave Ivankovic advice. The head coach was asked to replace center forward Behram Abduweli. However, this suggestion was ignored.
Their relationship deteriorated. The case that occurred in the match against Saudi Arabia was only one of the triggers. Now, Zheng Zhi’s camp is reportedly ready to leave his position as China’s assistant coach.
The negative rumors about the Chinese national team did not stop there. Like Zheng Zhi, Sohu reported that the Chinese players were also dissatisfied with Branko Ivankovic’s work.
Wu Lei and colleagues’ trust in Branko Ivankovic has collapsed. Defeats from Japan and Saudi Arabia were the reasons for this feeling of distrust.
Ivankovic was appointed as China’s coach in February 2024, after the failure in the 2023 Asian Cup. Reportedly, the Chinese Football Federation (CFA) still believes in the 70-year-old coach and has no plans to kick him out.
The performance of the Chinese national team in the first two matches in the 2026 World Cup Qualifications was very poor. This situation has put coach Branko Ivankovic’s future in doubt and has been hit by rumors of dismissal.
The wave of criticism towards Ivankovic was very strong following two consecutive defeats in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. China also sits at the bottom without a single point.
The media in China roro4d were also disappointed with the dilapidated performance of their national team. They are worried that if nothing changes before meeting the Indonesian National Team, the situation will get worse.
“China suffered another painful defeat in the 2026 World Cup Qualification. Now, China is at the bottom of the group standings, while the least favorite team, namely the Indonesian National Team, managed to get two points,” wrote Chinese media as quoted from Soha.
“If don’t have info to the series of matches in tournament, the possibility of football China team missing the World Cup is important.”
Still in the same report, the President of the Chinese Football Federation was also urged to immediately find a new coach as soon as possible.
“The only thing the Chinese Football Federation can do now is to find a new coach as soon as possible.”
“It can be seen that Ivankovic is not only a stubborn old man, but also can’t see the players’ problems on the field, to the point that when asked after the match why he didn’t make substitutions, he answered because the Chinese team was still playing well. Really shameless,” he wrote. Again.