China coach downplays chances

Posted Sunday, December 28, 2014 by Foxsports.com

China's 23-man squad was unveiled earlier this week; however, the coach appears to have modest ambitions ahead of the continental tournament which kicks off in Australia on 9 January 2015.

China coach Alain Perrin has said his side are not the favourites going in to the AFC Asian Cup.

China's 23-man squad was unveiled earlier this week; however, the coach appears to have modest ambitions ahead of the continental tournament which kicks off in Australia on 9 January 2015.

Perrin said: "We are not the favourite, we do not have the best chance.

"What I know is that the players are ready to give the best they can."

Perrin added: "I hope that the efforts the players made during these few months of preparation, and the team spirit of that group, will allow us to get past the first round."

China has had a poor run of form, only qualifying on goal difference. They play a final friendly against Oman on 5 January and then kick off their Asian Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on 10 January.

China Squad:
Wang Dalei (Shandong Luneng), Zeng Cheng (Guangzhou Evergrande), Yan Junling (Shanghai SIPG), Zhang Linpeng (Guangzhou Evergrande), Ren Hang (Jiangsu Guoxin-Sainty), Zhang Chengdong (Beijing Guoan), Jiang Zhipeng (Guangzhou R&F), Mei Fang (Guangzhou Evergrande), Ji Xiang (Jiangsu Guoxin-Sainty), Li Ang (Jiangsu Guoxin-Sainty), Zheng Zhi (Guangzhou Evergrande), Wu Xi (Jiangsu Guoxin-Sainty), Hao Junmin (Shandong Luneng), Yu Hanchao (Guangzhou Evergrande), Wu Lei (Shanghai SIPG), Yu Hai (Guizhou Renhe), Sun Ke (Jiangsu Guoxin-Sainty), Liu Jianye (Jiangsu Guoxin-Sainty), Liu Binbin (Shandong Luneng), Liao Lisheng (Guangzhou Evergrande), Cai Huikang (Shanghai SIPG), Gao Lin (Guangzhou Evergrande), Yang Xu (Shandong Luneng).