Chinese Midfielder Plans to Play Abroad after World Cup

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, April 04, 2002

Chinese Midfielder Plans to Play Abroad after World Cup

Chinese international Li Tie, who just returned from one-week trial training in England, said that he would not consider his move to European league until the 2002 World Cup finals ends.

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Chinese international Li Tie, who just returned from one-week trial training in England, said that he would not consider his move to European league until the 2002 World Cup finals ends.

"The best time for me to play abroad will not come until the World Cup finals is over," the midfielder told Xinhua.

"At present my job is to have a good form and prepare myself for the upcoming World Cup," he added.

Li has been a key player in the national squad, which qualified for its first ever World Cup, to be co-hosted by South Korea and Japan from May 31 to June 20.

Li underwent a trial with the English premier league club Southampton late in March, but due to the pressing transfer deadline of English clubs, he didn't go further to sign any deal with Southampton.

The transfer door for English clubs closed on March 28, which left Li and his Chinese club Liaoning Bird only three days to negotiate the transfer contract.

Li said that though falling short of a transfer deal, his English trip was worthwhile.

"I participated in the training of the English premier league club, and was able to experience the football aura of England. It was really an eye-opener," he said.

"Though the trip lasted only a few days, I accumulated a lot of experiences for future move," he added.

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