China Has its Own Advantages in World Cup Games: Milutinovic

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, January 07, 2002

China Has its Own Advantages in World Cup Games: Milutinovic

China to reach the World Cup Finals is the biggest success in its soccer history, and it has its own advantages in the 2002 World Cup even without super stars to present, said Bora Milutinovic, China's head coach, during an interview with the journalist of "Soccer" (magazine) on January 2.

China Has Won the World Cup

Milutinovic said, "For the Chinese team, to reach the finals is by no means inferior to win the title. In this sense, China has won the World Cup".

He admitted that he felt very proud in the success of the Chinese team in reaching such a great historical event as the World Cup Finals. He doesn't feel much pressed but rather more relaxed in work now, he stressed.

Advantages, Disadvantages Coexist

Milutinovic regarded the lack of experience as the biggest problem for China's participation in the 2002 World Cup. However, he mentioned, "We have our own dream". The famous coach, who has succeeded in leading five different national teams to break into the World Cup finals emphasized here, "China has more advantages than disadvantages. Although it is rather difficult for the Chinese team to have super stars like other national teams, it is still a pretty good team. Besides, soccer games are collective sports. To tell the truth, I was very much astonished to see China reach the finals two rounds ahead of schedule."

Talking about China's rivals in finals round, Milutinovic said, "Brazil possesses the most excellent players in the world. It is almost impossible for us to defeat Brazil. We should not bear such a kind of wild dream".

Hot Teams in Milutinovic's Eyes

Besides, Milutinovic thought France, Italy, Germany, Argentina and Brazil are the hot teams for winning the title of 2002 World Cup Games.

China Take Long Shot at World Cup

After successfully bringing the 2008 Olympic Games to Beijing, China now set their eyes on the lucrative soccer World Cup tournament.

Zhang Jilong, vice president of China's Football Association, disclosed that if China, which won their first ever berth for the World Cup finals earlier this month, gain the support and approval of FIFA, they will make a bid for staging right of the World Cup.

The senior Chinese soccer official failed to specify which World Cup they wanted, only saying:" China have what it takes to stage the soccer World Cup finals."

Zhang said that China's Football Association is now mulling the issue whether to renew the contract with Bora Milutinovic, who guided China throught the Asian World Cup qualifiers without a loss.

By PD Online staff member Du Minghua

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