Serginho – who in China is known by the name Sai Erjiniao – received his Chinese passport on March 12. On Sunday, he is said to have made his debut in China's national team in a friendly match, behind closed doors, against Kuwait, according to the state TV channel CCTV.
Now the 30-year-old, who has played club football in China since 2020, has been selected for the important World Championship qualifying matches against Saudi Arabia and Australia. Also, Liverpool-born defender Tyias Browning, who has played youth national team matches for England, has been selected.
China is last in its group, but has the same number of points (six) as the trio Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Australia is second on seven points, while Japan tops the qualifying group on 16 points. Four matches remain.
The top two in the group will play in the World Championship in the USA, Mexico, and Canada next year.
