AFC Asian Cup: China vs Tajikistan Preview, Head-To-Head, Lineup, Live Streaming and Telecast

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AFC Asian Cup, China vs Tajikistan: 2004 runners-up China will kickstart their campaign on Saturday (January 13) as they take on tournament debutants Tajikistan in the Group A match at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha.

World No. 79 China made a quarterfinal exit in the last two AFC Asian Cup editions and will look to make their place in the group clear to 106th-ranked Tajikistan with hosts Qatar vying for the top place in Group A. A day earlier, Qatar won 3-0 against Lebanon in the tournament opener.

Match: China vs Tajikistan
Kick-off time: 5:00 PM local time; 10:30 PM (Beijing); 7:30 PM (Dushanbe)
Location: Doha
Stadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium
Capacity: 10,000
Date: January 13, 2024

China vs Tajikistan: Head-to-Head Record

This will be the 6th encounter between China and Tajikistan at the senior level with their latest encounter coming back in 2019 during an international friendly with Yang Xu scoring the game. The footballer is not part of the current Chinese team.

Matches Played in all competitions: 5

Tajikistan Win: 1

China Win: 3

Draws: 1

Tajikistan Goals: 1

China Goals: 8

China vs Tajikistan Preview

Though they haven't yet won the title, the Chinese are one of the most interesting teams to watch in AFC Asian Cup 2023 as they are often title contenders. Years ago, Aleksandar Jankovic started coaching this program at the youth level. In February 2023, he was promoted to senior manager.

The 51-year-old Serbian team entered this event in poor form, having dropped their last three games across all competitions, including a 3-0 home loss to South Korea in the 2026 World Cup qualifying round. Although Dragon's Team lost their friendly match against Hong Kong 2-1 to start 2024 - their first loss in 29 years - they advanced past the group stage in their last two Asian Cup competitions before falling in the quarterfinals.

As far as Tajikistan are concerned, after defeating Kyrgyzstan in their third-round qualifying group and solidified their place in Asian football history. However, their journey has not been easy. They finished level with Bahrain for the fewest goals scored among the third-round group winners, but their defense stayed strong when it mattered most, conceding just one goal in the third stage of qualification.

The Tajiki football team's fortunes took a sharp turn for the better in 2023 because to Petar Segrt. The Croatian helped the team climb to 106th place in the FIFA rankings, which was their highest placing since the breakup of the Soviet Union.

China vs Tajikistan: Predicted Lineup

China: Yan Junling (GK); Xu Haofeng, Zhang Linpeng, Tyias Browning, Liu Yang; Lin Liangming, Wu Xi (C), Wang Shangyuan, Chen Pu; Wu Lei, Zhang Yuning

Manager: Aleksandar Jankovic

Tajikistan: Rustam Yatimov (GK); Manuchekhr Safarov, Vakdhat Khanonov, Zoir Dzhuraboyev, Kholmurod Nazarov; Parvizdzhov Umarbayev (C), Komron Tursunov; Ehson Panjshanbe, Alisher Dzhalilov, Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov; Shahrom Samiev

Manager: Petar Segrt

China vs Tajikistan: Live Streaming and Telecast
Live Streaming: IQIYI Sport, Migu
Telecast: TV Varzish, TV Football (Tajikistan); CCTV (China)