Chinese soccer on messy ground

Perhaps Chinese soccer fans are the most tolerant in the world.

Their joy knows no bounds when the China wins, because victory has always been an elusive luxury for the mediocre national men's team of talented but unprofessional players. And they keep their frustrations in check when China loses and, without complaining much, pin their hopes on the next game.

But even the staid and tolerant fans could not remain silent after China's shameful 1-5 loss to Thailand in a friendly at home last month. Surprisingly, their anger is directed more at what followed the humiliating defeat than the defeat itself.