Shao Jiayi, who plays with German second division side Munich 1860, will not play China's upcoming Asian Cup qualifier against Palestine on Sunday.

 

Shao said that this Sunday is not a day set for international matches by FIFA, world soccer's governing body, so his club refused him to travel to Guangzhou, south China.

 

Munich 1860's condition was not optimistic at present, staying eighth in the standings after losing to Dynamo Dresden 2-0 on Monday.

 

However, Shao said that he would surely join the Chinese national team to play the match against Iraq on March 1.

 

Everton's Li Tie has already joined the Chinese national team. Manchester City's Sun Jihai and Antwerp's Dong Fangzhuo are also expected to come back for Sunday's match.

(Xinhua News Agency English February 16, 2006)