China heads into key qualifiers
Print Edition
China will hope to ride a wave of optimism after Guangzhou Evergrande’s breakthrough AFC Champions League win as it heads into two make-or-break Asian Cup qualifiers today.
Chinese soccer received a long-awaited boost last week when Marcello Lippi’s expensively assembled side edged FC Seoul to the country’s first Asian title in 23 years.
Now the often-criticized national team will take centre-stage at Xian’s Shanxi Stadium as it faces Indonesia and then Saudi Arabia today and on Tuesday.
China’s campaign for Australia 2015 has not gone to plan so far with a loss in Saudi Arabia, a fortunate home win over Iraq and a disappointing 1-1 away draw with Indonesia.
The results have left it second in Group C, five points behind the Saudis and just one in front of Iraq, with its quest to reach an 11th straight Asian Cup in danger.
Caretaker coach Fu Bo, who replaced sacked former boss Jose Antonio Camacho, remains in charge despite last month’s draw in Jakarta.
But Chinese cannot afford another slip-up against the last-placed Indonesians if they hope to finish in one of the group’s two automatic qualifying spots.
Former Celtic and Charlton Athletic midfielder Zheng Zhi, 33, who skippers both Guangzhou and China, said national duty was a different order to playing for his club.
“Playing for the national team is definitely the most important, even more so than club matches,” said Zheng, a veteran of China’s 1-3 Asian Cup final loss to Japan in 2004.
“For us, we’re eager to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup. It’s important for our national pride and Chinese football.”
In a far better position are the Saudis, who host Iraq in Dammam today needing only a draw to reach their ninth consecutive Asian Cup.
The UAE has maximum points in Group E and can go through with victory over Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, while Group D leader Bahrain will also advance if it beats Malaysia in Manama.
Defending champion Japan, hosts Australia, and North and South Korea have already secured their places in the finals.
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