Angry fans raise posters reading "dismiss" after China was defeated 1-0 by Qatar during the 2010 World Cup Asian Zone Qualifying group match last Saturday in Tianjin. Inset: Head coach Ratomir Dujkovic leaves the field after the loss. (Zhong Ti/Yang Shizhong Photo)

China stands at the edge of the cliff heading into Saturday's 2010 World Cup Asian Zone qualifying group match against Iraq. Simply put, China must beat the Asian Cup champion to keep alive its waning hopes of advancing to the final qualifying round.

China's bid for a spot in South Africa in 2010 was all but ended last Saturday when it lost to Qatar at home in a crucial match. It now sits at the bottom of its group with three points.

But the group's presumptive favorite Australia was upset 1-0 by the formerly winless Iraq last weekend and now shares the group lead with Qatar at seven points.

The surprising result presents a complicated situation - and keeps alive China's chances of qualifying, as long as it wins both of its last group matches at home against Iraq and away against the Aussies.

"Our fate is not in our hands, but we still have a chance if we win the remaining two matches," said China's managing coach Vladimir Petrovic.

"We will fight to the end no matter what the result will be. I hope all the Chinese people who love their national team will stand by us."

Despite the monumental task ahead, players are determined to go down fighting.

"We are now in peril, but no one should lose their fighting spirit," said star midfielder Zheng Zhi.

Zheng, of English Championship side Charlton, has been under fire for his lackluster performances in the previous matches. But he insists he will continue to fight.

"I am so tired and the injury also hurts me a lot. But a strong mind will keep me on the field fighting I will not surrender.

"As long as I am on the field, I will try my best to help the team win the match."

Head coach Ratomir Dujkovic has used a variety of lineups in the past four matches but has consistently kept Zheng in the midfield.

Changes to the starting lineup, however, have been the target of harsh criticism in the past week.

A row between the coach and the players also erupted after the Qatar loss as some players complained about the inconsistent lineup.

"We would rather play in a consistent format and lineup. If he used the same lineup and format, I think China could perform much better," a player, who refused to be identified, told Titan Sports.

Dujkovic said he will take all the responsibility if China fails to advance, but insists he made the right lineup decisions based on China's different opponents.

"I changed players for the starting lineup because we were facing opponents with different styles.

"I heard people have increasing doubts about my decision. It's normal and I respect their comments.

"As a coach, you cannot make everyone happy. Only the results speak. If we had won the matches, there would not be so many complaints."

But the Serbian coach cannot afford to underestimate an Iraq team flying high after its upset victory. To make matters more difficult, the team will also be missing key players Sun Jihai and Li Weifeng.

Center-back Li, forced to sit out after a second yellow card, has been one of China's best players in the qualifiers. Manchester City's versatile midfielder Sun has also been impressive, but faces a one-game suspension after the red card he earned against Qatar.

Teen midfielder Liu Jian will also miss the match after two yellow cards and another center-back Wang Xiao is still trying to recover from an injury.

China has only qualified for the World Cup finals once but lost in the first round without scoring a goal in South Korea and Japan in 2002.

(China Daily June 14,2008)