The Chinese national men’s football team suffered a 5-0 defeat against Palestine at the Chongqing Longxing Football Park during the Chongqing International Football Invitation. The loss ended a historical head-to-head unbeaten record spanning seven matches dating back to 2023.
Chongqing International Football Invitation Collapse
The match turned decisively in the first half as defensive errors opened the door for the visiting Palestinian side. In the 16th minute, Liu Yang failed to clear a loose ball inside the penalty area, allowing Hamrawi to score the opening goal. Just six minutes later, Hamrawi beat the offside trap to score a breakaway goal, securing his brace. Shortly before halftime in stoppage time, Oday Dabbagh added a third with a left-footed strike, leaving the hosts trailing 3-0 at the break.
China manufactured few scoring opportunities during the opening forty-five minutes. Tao Qianglong received a through ball from Wei Shihao in the 37th minute to break clear on goal, but his shot was turned away by the Palestinian goalkeeper. In the second half, goalkeeper Yan Junling allowed an attempted save to slip across the line for Palestine’s fourth goal. Wang Shangyuan and Liu Yang both hit the goal frame with free kicks in the 68th and 80th minutes respectively, before Palestine added a fifth goal in stoppage time to seal the 5-0 scoreline.
Shao Jiayi Avoids Media After Palestine Victory
Following the final whistle, head coach Shao Jiayi did not appear for the post-match media session, instead sending 17-year-old player Zhao Songyuan to face reporters. The decision drew sharp criticism from observers and supporters. The result immediately dominated domestic social media, surging to the top of the trending charts on Weibo.
The lopsided result against Palestine—a team operating amid ongoing regional conflict and infrastructure challenges—provoked widespread public frustration. Fans in the stands voiced immediate anger during the contest, while online commentators questioned the viability of the national squad and called for organizational restructuring.
Historical Context and Preparatory Fixtures
Prior to the October fixture, the historical matchup record heavily favored the Chinese side. Across seven prior meetings through 2023, China recorded five wins and two draws, outscoring opponents 17 goals to two. That unbeaten streak came to an end in Chongqing.
The match marked another difficult outing in the team’s ongoing warmup schedule. In previous friendlies, the squad defeated the Maldives 3-0 before dropping a 3-0 decision to New Zealand.
What Happened in the China and Palestine Match?
What was the final score of the match between China and Palestine?
Palestine defeated China 5-0 in the international friendly held at the Chongqing Longxing Football Park.
Who scored the goals for Palestine during the first half?
Hamrawi scored twice in the 16th and 22nd minutes, while Oday Dabbagh added a third goal during first-half stoppage time.
How did previous matches between these two teams compare?
Prior to this fixture, China held an unbeaten record of five wins and two draws across seven meetings with Palestine dating back to 2023.
Which coaches or players spoke to the media after the match?
Head coach Shao Jiayi did not attend the post-match press conference, dispatching 17-year-old player Zhao Songyuan to speak with reporters instead.
