Chinese fans reacted with great disappointment toward their national team after the latter’s loss to Syria in a World Cup qualifier. This reaction only intensified after Syrian soccer players were seen shopping for discounted clothing in a mall in Xi’an, Shaanxi province.

Images show the athletes shopping in a wholesale mall, where some players even picked out items of apparel on clearance, being sold for only 49 yuan. While the photos surprised some netizens, it has since been pointed out that, due to the war in their home country, the salaries earned by Syrian soccer players can be described as minimal at best. What's more, some of the country's most skilled players had to give up their professional careers because of the circumstances of war.

As Chinese netizens and soccer fans learned about the challenges facing the Syrian team, they expressed even more frustration with the Chinese players, who enjoy relative luxury and privilege compared with their Syrian opponents.