The Chinese national football team has secured their place in the next round of the AFC Asian Cup after defeating Thailand 2-1 on Sunday. The victory was a major boost for China's hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The match at the King Dhanaraj Raju Stadium in Chiang Mai was closely contested throughout, with both teams showing great defensive strength and attacking prowess. However, it was China who came out on top in the end, thanks to goals from Zhang Tiefeng and Wu Lei.

The victory was a historic one for China, as they have not qualified for the World Cup since 2004. It also marks the first time that China have beaten Thailand in a competitive match since 2015.

"Today's win is a huge step forward for our team," said Chinese coach Li Tie. "We've been working hard all year to improve our skills and tactics, and I'm proud of what we've achieved today."

China now face Uzbekistan in their final group stage match on Wednesday, hoping to secure a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament. A win would be a significant achievement for the team, but they will need to play at their best if they want to progress further.

Overall, this victory was a massive boost for Chinese football, and the players and fans alike can celebrate the achievement. With their place in the next round secured, China now turn their attention to securing a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.