China's proposal to restore the format of "Ten Country Round-robin Competition" for the 2010 World Cup Asian Zone Finals was denied at the just-concluded Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting on Friday.

AFC announced it will stick to the format of 2006 World Cup Asian Zone Finals, meaning eight countries (winner of all eight groups from qualifiers) are divided into two groups and the top two of each group advance into the World Cup final.

While the seeds of original eight groups are determined according to the latest FIFA rankings, China, who are now embarrassingly ranked tenth in Asia is set to miss the seeded position.

Unless the AFC has the ability to persuade FIFA to change some rules, China is likely to draw into a group with higher-ranked rivals like Japan, South Korea, Iran or even AFC's newcomer Australia, making it a mission impossible for the perennial underachiever of world football to make it into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Even in the 2006 World Cup Asian Zone Qualifiers, seeded China failed to advance into the Asia's last eight competitions while underdog Kuwait edged ahead win the qualifying group on goal difference.

China's only World Cup appearance was in 2002 World Cup thanks to hosts Japan and South Korea's automatic entries into the final.

Vice-president of China Football Association Xie Yalong, who was appointed as president of East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) last week refused to make any comments on the news but said he will take the chance as head of EAFF to strengthen the co-operation between countries and regions among EAFF and help develop the sport.

"I will well serve the associations in the region and help develop the sport into a new level," Xie said.

EAFF, set up in 2002, now has nine members including China, Chinese Taipei, Guam, HongKong, Japan, DPR Korea, South Korea, Macou and Mongolia.

"The third East-Asian Football Championships will be held in China next year. It is a very good chance for us to exchange ideas with other members," Xie said.

"We will also take extra efforts to develop the grassroots football in this region. Besides, more attention will be paid to the women's football and the training of coaches."

(China Daily July 27, 2006)