By the narrowest of margins, China PR squeezed into the third phase of Asia’s qualifying rounds for the FIFA World Cup; after four high-stakes games in March and June, Branko Ivankovic’s side pipped Thailand on head-to-head record to a berth in the next round.
Qualification marked a major turnaround for the Chinese in the short time since the veteran Croatian took over at the helm, replacing Aleksandar Jankovic after the Serbian coach’s team had struggled in front of goal at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. .....