A rivalry steeped in history and a crucial game for China. That’s a recipe for a must-watch game between China and the Republic of Korea in the campaign to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

CGTN’s Owen Fairclough reports.

A game China couldn’t afford to lose against the Republic of Korea. Bottom of their World Cup qualifying group going into this tie, Team Dragon also had national pride at stake.

Off the field, geopolitical tensions are high in Beijing’s relationship with the Korean Peninsula.

China will have to maintain this form to stand any chance of qualifying for the World Cup Finals in Russia next year, especially with top of the table Iran their next encounter.