On the evening of 22/9, China needed a victory against Vietnam in their second Group E match of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers to stay in contention. Despite the home-field advantage in Hangzhou, China crumbled quickly, conceding three goals in the first three minutes.

Ranked 85th in the FIFA futsal rankings, China faced a formidable opponent in 26th-ranked Vietnam. The 59-place gap, coupled with their 1-0 loss to Vietnam in the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup, proved too much to overcome. China conceded four more goals, managing only two late consolations. The 7-2 defeat, combined with their earlier 2-1 loss to Lebanon, resulted in their early elimination from the tournament.

"China suffered a crushing defeat against Vietnam," Sina reported. "The players were devastated and deeply embarrassed by the heavy loss. Some players squatted down, covering their faces with their hands, while others looked up at the sky and sighed."

Chinese players (in red) compete with Vietnamese players in the second Group E match of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers, on the afternoon of 22/9 in Hangzhou, China. Photo: AFC

Chinese players (in red) compete with Vietnamese players in the second Group E match of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers, on the afternoon of 22/9 in Hangzhou, China. Photo: AFC

The leading Chinese newspaper also drew parallels to the men's 11-a-side soccer team's struggles, highlighting their losses to Japan and South Korea, their decline in Asian rankings, and their defeats against Vietnam and Indonesia in World Cup qualifiers.

"During the 2022 Lunar New Year, China lost to Vietnam 3-1, setting a series of embarrassing records," Sina recalled. "These included ending a 62-year unbeaten streak and a 10-match winning streak against Vietnam, as well as their first loss to Vietnam leading to an early exit from the 2022 World Cup qualifiers."

"Now, another Chinese men's soccer team has suffered a humiliating defeat to Vietnam, with an even more disastrous scoreline. A truly embarrassing defeat," the newspaper continued, referring to the 7-2 futsal loss.

Many fans expressed their anger and disappointment in the comments section of Sina's article. "China has been humiliated once again, even in futsal. Don't they know their own level?" a fan from Tianjin wrote. "Yet they still play shamelessly in the national jersey. Are they worthy of the trust that the Chinese people have placed in them after thousands of efforts?"

Chinese players (in red) hold their faces after losing 7-2 to Vietnam in the second Group E match of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers, on the afternoon of 22/9 in Hangzhou, China. Photo: AFC

Chinese players (in red) hold their faces after losing 7-2 to Vietnam in the second Group E match of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers, on the afternoon of 22/9 in Hangzhou, China. Photo: AFC

"I really don't understand who still watches the national team's matches anymore," another fan questioned.

Adding to the on-field woes, Chinese player Gu Haitao received a direct red card for a foul on Vietnam's captain Pham Duc Hoa. "In their frustration, the home team also lost a player when Gu Haitao was sent off for a violent tackle," the AFC website commented.

The 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers feature 31 teams divided into eight groups, competing in a round-robin format. The eight group winners and the seven best second-placed teams will qualify for the final tournament in Indonesia.

Vietnam is in Group E, playing at the Linping Sport Center Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China.

After two matches, Vietnam leads the group with 6 points (goal difference +13), followed by Lebanon with a goal difference of +1. Hong Kong (-8) is in third place, while China sits at the bottom of the table. In the final match on 24/9, Vietnam needs only a draw against Lebanon to secure their place in the finals.

Duc Dong (according to Sina)