Marcus Lum

State media have criticized Chinese national football team coach Branko Ivankovic for his "incompetence" as pressure mounts on the 70-year-old Croatian to resign after just seven months in charge.

The team's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are dwindling after a 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia at home on Tuesday despite playing most of the match with an extra player and an early lead.

People's Daily wrote in a commentary that "it only takes the incompetence of one man to bog down the whole army" amid questions over Ivankovic's substitution strategy, with his only tactical substitution near the end of the game.

"The team has basically walked out of the turmoil of being thrashed [7-0 by Japan on Thursday], and showed a good attitude. But it was the head coach's untimely decisions costing the team at least a point on the table," the newspaper said.

"There are 10 group matches. China lost two consecutive games and are sitting bottom of the table. The huge loss and the opponent's comeback is not inevitable, and it is time for someone to take the responsibility."

Asked whether he will step down, Ivankovic, who led Iran to its third World Cup qualification in 2006, said: "I should not be the one to answer the question."

The former midfielder went on to say that with three strong teams - Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia - among the six in the same group with China, the goal of the team is to qualify by "finishing in its top four."

Ivankovic added: "We are working hard toward this goal. We still have eight games to play and our performance today was better than the last game [against Japan]."

The issue is thoroughly discussed on social media. One commenter said of Ivankovic's stand: "I'm not resigning - if you want me gone, sack me and pay me."

Another said Ivankovic does not deserve a second chance, while some suggested replacing him with Spanish coach Javier Pereira - who managed Shanghai Port last season and is currently with English side Watford - since his style of play suits the team.

Some speculated that Ivankovic is well aware that the end of his tenure may be near, after seeing him take a lap around the Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium following the game against Saudi Arabia, seemingly bidding farewell to the audience.

Chinese team defender Jiang Shenglong apologized to fans after the match.

In the seven months with Ivankovic as coach, China has won once and drew once against Singapore, settled for a draw with Thailand, and lost to South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

China are sitting at the bottom of the group, the only team in Group C in the qualifiers without a point.

marcus.lum@singtaonewscorp.com

There is no hiding the frustration after the Chinese team, coached by Branko Ivankovic, lost to Saudi Arabia in the qualifiers. XINHUA

Calls mount for China coach to be sacked