Zheng Zhi's hopes of appearing at the 2010 World Cup took a nosedive over the weekend when China lost 1-0 to Qatar in their qualifying clash.The Charlton midfielder, who is the captain of the Chinese national side, played through the pain of a niggling groin problem in central midfield but could not stop them crashing to a first-half penalty from Sebastian Quintana.

The result leaves China with a mountain to climb if they are to reach the finals in South Africa in two years time.

They face Iraq in Tianjin next weekend before their final group fixture in Australia on June 22.

More Football News from TEAMtalk