AFC Asian Cup 2023: Toothless China in danger after another 0-0 draw

Lower-ranked Lebanon twice struck China’s crossbar while the Chinese had an effort cleared off the line in an entertaining stalemate.

China’s Jiang Guangtai, left, and teammates acknowledge the applause from its supporters at the end of the Asian Cup Group A match between China and Lebanon at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. | Photo Credit: Thanassis Stavrakis/ AP

China’s AFC Asian Cup 2023 hopes are on a knife edge after it was held 0-0 for the second game in a row against an unlucky Lebanon on Wednesday.

Lower-ranked Lebanon twice struck China’s crossbar while the Chinese had an effort cleared off the line in an entertaining stalemate.

Host and holder Qatar plays debutant Tajikistan in the group later in the day with the last 16 within reach. China plays Qatar in its final game.

Qatar tops Group A with three points and a game in hand, with China on two, and Tajikistan and Lebanon on one.

Only the top two are sure to reach the knockouts and this was another blow for Chinese football, which is reeling from a graft scandal at home.

Playing in mint green and fresh from a 0-0 draw with Tajikistan, China was on the back foot early against a team ranked 28 places below itself.

Lebanon was beaten 3-0 by Qatar in the opening game of the tournament but its height and strength caused a sluggish China problems.

In front of a crowd of 14,000 at the 44,000-capacity Al Thumama Stadium, a venue for the 2022 World Cup, the first chance came on 24 minutes.

Chinese goalkeeper Yan Junling parried the ball out wide and from the resulting Lebanon cross, Omar Bugiel -- who plays for Wimbledon in England’s fourth tier -- headed over the bar.

The 30-year-old forward, who has bounced around lower and non-league English football, had two more sniffs at goal as Lebanon turned the screw.

China finally came alive at the end of the half, forwards Wu Lei and Zhang Yuning denied three times in quick succession by goalkeeper Mostafa Matar.

Hassan Maatoukt struck China’s bar in first-half injury time and after the break Hasan Srour also clipped the top of the goal-frame.

Midway through the second period China came within inches of taking the lead when Matar made a mess of a tame effort, but Lebanon cleared off the line.