China faces crucial week in bid for Asian Cup spot
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, October 15, 2013
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Players of China trained ahead of 2015 Asian Cup qualifier against Indonsia. |
China faces a pivotal away game against Indonesia this week as it bids to extend its proud record of qualifying for the last 10 editions of the Asian Cup.
Today's game in Jakarta is shaping as a must-win for the team and caretaker coach Fu Bo, who took over after China axed former Real Madrid and Spain boss Jose Antonio Camacho.
China has enjoyed a mini-revival under Fu, after a poor run with the expensively hired Camacho, and it is three points off the lead in Group C after the first two games.
But the team will need to ensure it takes maximum points off bottom-placed Indonesia as it fights it out with Saudi Arabia and Iraq for the two automatic qualifying spots.
China, which has reached every Asian Cup since its first appearance in 1976, lost its opener away to the Saudis but then grabbed a stoppage-time winner at home against Iraq.
The qualifiers are effectively an audition for Fu as he bids to go full-time and lead China to the 2015 tournament in Australia.
"If we believe in ourselves and focus on our strengths such as our passing and keeping the ball, as well as our solid defense, I believe that facing the opponents we have, we can perform well," defender Sun Xiang told CCTV.
Former Asian champion Iraq, absorbing its latest change of manager after Hakeem Shaker replaced Vladimir Petrovic — less than a year after Zico's departure — takes on the table-topping Saudis in Amman.
Elsewhere, in Group A Jordan has a rematch with Oman, whom it beat in World Cup qualifying to reach the playoffs. A revenge win for Oman would see it all but qualified for Australia.
Uzbekistan will be looking to revive its qualification hopes after a poor start in Group E when it hosts Vietnam.
The 2011 semifinalist lies third with just a single point after a goalless draw with China's Hong Kong and 1-2 loss to the United Arab Emirates.
With four points, Hong Kong hosts group leader UAE knowing that a win would boost its hopes of reaching the finals for the first time since 1968.
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