"How could we suffer a 0-5 defeat against the team ranked 92nd in the FIFA rankings?" Public outrage erupts, with even the captain fleeing the scene... "A 17-year-old shield appears" as China boils with anger

*This content was translated by AI.

Chinese football has been engulfed in uncontrollable fury after suffering a humiliating 0-5 defeat against the team ranked 92nd in the FIFA rankings. Following a near-self-destructive crushing loss on home soil, even a commentator for state-run television cried out during the live broadcast. The situation has further inflamed the entire continent, as veteran players all hid away and a 17-year-old prospect was put forward as an interview shield.

The Chinese national football team (ranked 94th in FIFA) suffered a crushing 0-5 defeat in a friendly match against Palestine held in Chongqing, China, on the 2nd (Korean time). Collapsing after conceding three goals in the first half alone while watched by approximately 50,000 spectators at home, the team remained powerless throughout the second half and could not avoid disaster. This marks a second consecutive scoreless defeat, following a 0-3 loss to New Zealand previously.

Local public opinion has been swept up in anger. The Chinese media outlet "Sohu.com" highlighted the dismal atmosphere on the ground, stating, "During the National Day Golden Week holiday, when the entire nation should be cheering, the national football team delivered a major humiliation via nationwide live broadcast."

According to the media, the commentary team for China's CCTV, which was broadcasting the match live nationwide, let out sighs during the broadcast after conceding three goals in the first half alone, asking, "This is an evaluation match hosted by China, but what on earth are we playing for?"

Furthermore, "Sohu.com" harshly criticized the team, stating, "They floundered without tactics or fighting spirit, bringing about their own crushing defeat." The report added, "The players appeared to have their mental state collapse through rough irritability and scuffles, despite being completely outmatched technically. Head coach Xiao Zai could not offer any countermeasures, frowning from the bench."

Immediately after the match ended, an unsightly scene further fueled fans' anger. Despite having four players who serve as captains for their respective clubs, only Zhao Songyuan, the 17th-year-old youngest member born in 2008, appeared in the mixed zone interview area right after the 0-5 crushing defeat. Veteran senior players fled to the locker room to avoid responsibility for the loss, leaving the young prospect, who is still a high school student, to stand alone before the press microphones and endure a barrage of questions about the defeat.

In the interview, Zhao Songyuan bowed his head, saying, "We failed to apply sufficient pressure on the opponent, allowing them to play too easily." Chinese fans watching this erupted in anger. Fans raged, stating, "After letting in five goals and losing, they put a 17-year-old child forward as a shield," "Where did all the senior players with armbands run off to?" and "They have iron plates on their faces. Shameless veterans who lack even a sense of responsibility."

Demands for the dismissal of Coach Xiao Zai are also pouring in. Home fans immediately unleashed boos as soon as the final whistle blew. Social networking services (SNS) are filled with public opinion that has reached an irrecoverable state regarding the national team, with comments such as, "With this below-standard performance and tactics, it is impossible to even pass the group stage of the Asian Cup finals," and "Xiao Zai should resign immediately."

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*This content was translated by AI.