‘Humiliated’ China captain Zhang quits team over World Cup draw with Singapore

China captain Zhang Linpeng has sensationally quit international football after his side’s “humiliating” 2-2 draw in a World Cup qualifier against Singapore.

Fans, meanwhile, veered between calling the result the biggest disgrace since their side’s 5-1 loss to Thailand, or admitting they had stopped expecting anything but defeat.

That was in sharp contrast to their hosts, where Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong led the praise for his country’s performance on Thursday (Mar 21).

Zhang though decided that losing a two-goal lead at the National Stadium was the final straw.

“I thought about it for a long while. I think it’s time to end my national team career,” he said after the game. “We could not even beat the Singapore team. I think it’s unacceptable, and I find it humiliating.”

Trailing at half-time to two goals from Wu Lei, Singapore changed the game in the 53rd minute, when Faris Ramli’s effort was deflected past the hapless Yan Junling in the China goal.

And nine minutes from time, China captain and defender Zhang Linpeng missed a critical clearance and gave Singaporean substitute Jacob Mahler the simplest of chances to equalise, to the joy of the home fans.

Rooted to the bottom of Group C, Singapore were not expected to get anything from the game and now head into the return leg in Tianjin on Tuesday on something of a high.

“Our Lions displayed fighting spirit and grit last night, at the Fifa World Cup qualifiers at the National Stadium,” Lee posted on his official Facebook page.

“Well done to the team and coach Tsutomu Ogura! Every effort counts, so keep working hard and continue flying the flag high. All the best for your upcoming match with China again in Tianjin on Tuesday.”

Almost 70 places higher in the world