'Numb' and 'humiliated': Why China's football dream lies in tatters

China has failed to qualify for the last five World Cups - and once again, their chances look unlikely.

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With a minute left on the clock and trailing Japan 6-0, Chinese defenders were likely wishing for the sweet relief of the final whistle.

But Japan's Takefusa Kubo was not feeling charitable. After watching his team-mates toy with their opponents for a while, he received a pass on the edge of the Chinese box and rammed home Japan's seventh goal.

The ball rocketed into the roof of the net, and the man known as "Japanese Messi" condemned China to their worst-ever defeat in a World Cup qualifier.

The 7-0 spanking in September - described as "rock-bottom" by a Shanghai-based newspaper – followed a year-long line of humiliating defeats which included losses to Oman, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong.