Chongqing, June 11 (H.S.): China secured a 1-0 victory over Bahrain in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match, thanks to an injury-time penalty from 18-year-old forward Wang Yudong. Both teams were already eliminated after previous losses to Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. The first half of the match featured few scoring opportunities, but China gained control in the second half, with Wang attempting multiple attacks from the left wing. Despite being denied by the Bahraini goalkeeper, Wang was ultimately successful in the 93rd minute when a penalty was awarded due to a handball by a Bahraini defender. This win brought China's total to 9 points in the qualifiers, finishing fifth in Group C, while Japan had already qualified for the World Cup.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar