China national team head coach Branko Ivankovic expressed confidence in his squad ahead of Thursday night's pivotal FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia, calling it a "very exciting and important game" that could shape the final standings in Group C.

"This result will be crucial in deciding the group's final outcome," Ivankovic told reporters in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. "We know Saudi Arabia is one of Asia's top teams, with World Cup experience, and they even defeated Argentina in the last World Cup. But we've prepared well, and I believe we can achieve a good result."

Branko Ivankovic (R), head coach of Chinese national men's football team, poses with a fan at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Luo Chen)

China has never won away to Saudi Arabia across five previous meetings. But Ivankovic highlighted China's extensive preparations, including a two-week training camp in Dubai designed to help the team acclimatize to West Asian conditions. He pointed to a recent friendly victory over Kuwait as a positive sign.

"We had a very productive training camp," he said. "The team worked well together, and our match against Kuwait helped us refine our tactics against a team with a similar playing style to Saudi Arabia."

China has also undergone significant squad changes, with 15 new players joining the national team setup. Ivankovic said this shift was necessary to inject fresh energy into the squad.

"Like Saudi Arabia, we also have a mix of young and experienced players. But over the past year, I have come to know this team much better. We have made adjustments, and you can see the changes in our tactics and approach, especially when compared to our performances last year."

China's previous encounter with Saudi Arabia saw the team concede twice from set pieces in a painful home defeat, and Ivankovic emphasized the hard work that has been done to address this weakness.

"We haven't forgotten those two goals we conceded," he admitted. "Recently, we have focused a lot on defensive structure, particularly in set-piece situations. Even during today's official training session, we worked on improving our organization in these areas."

China captain and goalkeeper Wang Dalei echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of concentration throughout the match.

Ivankovic acknowledged Saudi Arabia's strengths and the tactical approach of its coach, Herve Renard.

"They have an experienced coach and a clear football philosophy. Even though they have brought in new players, their tactical principles will remain the same. We respect them, but we also believe in our preparation and our ability to compete," he said.

Ivankovic also reflected on his own journey with China, comparing his early struggles to Roberto Mancini's brief tenure with Saudi Arabia.

"When I first took over, I didn't know the players well, and it took time to make adjustments," he said. "Now, after a year of working together, we have a younger, more cohesive team, and I think you can see the progress we've made."

With Group C tightly contested, the result in Riyadh could significantly impact China's qualification hopes. Ivankovic and his players remain focused on the challenges ahead.

"We trust each other 100 percent," Wang said. "We will give everything on the pitch to get the result we need."