On November 15, 2024, Beijing time, in the 5th round of the third stage of the Asian Qualifiers for the World Cup (Group C), Haram’s goal in the 88th minute was disallowed, and subsequently, Zhang Yuning scored a stoppage-time winner, securing a 1-0 away victory for the Chinese National Team against Bahrain. After the match, famous host Zhan Jun commented on the game, praising several Chinese players, particularly highlighting their fighting spirit.
Zhan Jun wrote on his social media: “Two consecutive wins, greatly increasing our chances of qualifying! Thanks to VAR! Li Lei, who bravely fought and got injured (making key saves in the first half), and Zhang Yuning, who gritted his teeth and played through the pain until the last moment, were both outstanding! For Coach Ivan, we must give credit where it’s due! His substitutions in the second half were decisive, and Wang Haijian and Wang Ziming, who came off the bench, played crucial roles. Considering that we were missing four key players—Wu Lei, Jiang Guangtai, Fernandinho, and Gao Zhunyi—we still managed to win away from home. Even if the performance wasn’t pretty, these three points are extremely valuable.”
In addition, Zhan Jun added: “Did the Chinese National Team’s disastrous start in this 18-team qualifier mean they would sink into despair and never recover? Absolutely not! In the players like Li Lei, Xu Haoyang, and Zhang Yuning, we see courage, determination, and the willingness to fight through injuries. While their technical skills may not match those of their opponents, their willpower and physical strength are unmatched. Of course, this is also based on reasonable tactical arrangements (long passes + high-intensity pressing) and timely substitutions. Well done, Chinese National Team, aim to be the ‘Fourth Place Battlers’ in this group!”
